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Eco-evolutionary dynamics of communities and ecosystems

  1. G. F. FUSSMANN1,*,
  2. M. LOREAU1,
  3. P. A. ABRAMS2

Article first published online: 25 APR 2007

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2007.01275.x

Issue

Functional Ecology

Functional Ecology

Volume 21, Issue 3, pages 465–477, June 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

FUSSMANN, G. F., LOREAU, M. and ABRAMS, P. A. (2007), Eco-evolutionary dynamics of communities and ecosystems. Functional Ecology, 21: 465–477. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2007.01275.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    McGill University, Department of Biology, 1205 Avenue Docteur-Penfield, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1B1, and

  2. 2

    University of Toronto, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Zoology Building, 25 Harbord Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada

* †Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: gregor.fussmann@mcgill.ca

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 25 APR 2007
  2. Article first published online: 25 APR 2007
  3. Received 1 February 2007; revised 20 February 2007; accepted 21 February 2007Editor: Andrew Hendry

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Keywords:

  • adaptive dynamics;
  • character displacement;
  • coevolution;
  • ecosystem evolution;
  • evolutionary dynamics

Summary

  • 1
    We review theoretical and empirical studies to identify instances where evolutionary processes significantly affect the dynamics of populations, communities and ecosystems.
  • 2
    Early theoretical work on eco-evolutionary dynamics was concerned with the effect of (co)evolution on the stability of two-species predator–prey systems and the occurrence of character displacement in simple competitive systems. Today's theoretical ecologists are extending this work to study the eco-evolutionary dynamics of multispecies communities and the functioning and evolutionary emergence of ecosystems.
  • 3
    In terms of methodology, eco-evolutionary modelling has diversified from simple, locus-based population genetic models to encompass models of clonal selection, quantitative trait dynamics and adaptive dynamics.
  • 4
    The few empirical studies on community dynamics that explicitly considered evolutionary processes support the view that evolutionary and ecological dynamics often occur on similar time-scales, and that they co-determine the dynamical behaviour of ecological communities.
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