New Paper: Evolution reduces spatial heterogeneity

A new paper in PNAS lead by Mark Urban at the University of Connecticut argues that evolution tends to dampen spatial heterogeneity in ecological conditions. The mechanisms vary, but a deep dive into the literature shows that adaptive evolution tends to minimize extinction and homogenizes population abundances in space - regardless of underlying environmental conditions. There are cases in which evolution amplifies or creates spatial heterogeneity but at present these appear to be the exceptions. These effects are often neglected without experiments that can expose the degree of local adaptation - common gardens and reciprocal transplants, for example. Without these types of treatments the pervasive, yet cryptic, effects of evolution in space are easily overlooked. We hope that our paper encourages a new generation of researchers to consider the role of evolution in contemporary ecological patterns in space.

Urban, M.C., S.Y. Strauss, F. Pelletier, E.P. Palkovacs, M.A. Leibold, A.P. Hendry, L. De Meester, S.M. Carlson, A.L. Angert, and S.T. Giery. 2020. Evolutionary origins for ecological patterns in space. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 117 (30) 17482-17490.