Rapid Evolution

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last two decades, evolutionary biologists have increasingly recognized that selection-driven evolutionary change in populations or species is not restricted to geological timescales but can happen so fast as to be observable in real time. Beyond the fascinating opportunities this offers for basic research, rapid or contemporary evolution has at least two major and interrelated consequences: First, rapid evolution defies the traditional distinction between ecological and evolutionary timescales. Evolutionary processes can have direct consequences on ecological dynamics and ecosystem functioning and are themselves influenced by ecological processes (eco-evolutionary feedback). Second, rapid evolution may allow certain populations to adapt to anthropogenic changes in their environment and, in some cases, prevent population extinction (evolutionary rescue). In this context, much research has been focused on the potential of populations for rapid adaptation (e.g., amount of standing genetic variation, phenotypic plasticity, genetic architecture). However, even when the adaptive potential is high, rapid evolution may produce desired (in the case of endangered species) or undesired outcomes (in the case of invasive species or pathogens) at the ecosystem level. In addition, the evolution of one species may affect both the population dynamics and the selection pressures experienced by interacting species. Taking all these effects into account and gaining a fuller understanding of the scope and limits of rapid evolution in changing environments thus requires an eco-evolutionary perspective, therefore closing the loop to point one above.
This Special Issue aims at bringing together reviews and original research on diverse aspects of rapid evolution in natural populations subject to environmental change, with a focus on population-level and ecosystem effects of phenotypic and genetic adaptation. We welcome contributions using a variety of observational, experimental, and theoretical approaches. The aim is to assemble a list of papers reflecting the state-of-the-art of current research on rapid evolution.

Prof. Michael Kopp
Dr. Tom Van Dooren
Guest Editors

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