Small spaces, big impacts: contributions of micro-environmental variation to population persistence under climate change

Abstract Individuals within natural populations can experience very different abiotic and biotic conditions across small spatial scales owing to microtopography and other micro-environmental gradients. Ecological and evolutionary studies often ignore the effects of micro-environment on plant population and community dynamics. Here, we explore the extent to which fine-grained variation in abiotic and biotic conditions contributes to within-population variation in trait expression and genetic diversity in natural plant populations. Furthermore, we consider whether benign microhabitats could buffer local populations of some plant species from abiotic stresses imposed by rapid anthropogenic climate change. If microrefugia sustain local populations and communities in the short term, other eco-evolutionary processes, such as gene flow and adaptation, could enhance population stability in the longer term. We caution, however, that local populations may still decline in size as they contract into rare microhabitats and microrefugia. We encourage future research that explicitly examines the role of the micro-environment in maintaining genetic variation within local populations, favouring the evolution of phenotypic plasticity at local scales and enhancing population persistence under global change.

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Are We Doing ‘Systems’ Research? An Assessment of Methods for Climate Change Adaptation to Hydrohazards in a Complex World

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11041163 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 1163 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Melissa Bedinger ◽

Lindsay Beevers ◽

Lila Collet ◽

Annie Visser

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Human Nature ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Time Scales ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Local Context ◽

Multiple Time Scales ◽

Future Research ◽

Multiple Time ◽

Systems Research

Climate change is a product of the Anthropocene, and the human–nature system in which we live. Effective climate change adaptation requires that we acknowledge this complexity. Theoretical literature on sustainability transitions has highlighted this and called for deeper acknowledgment of systems complexity in our research practices. Are we heeding these calls for ‘systems’ research? We used hydrohazards (floods and droughts) as an example research area to explore this question. We first distilled existing challenges for complex human–nature systems into six central concepts: Uncertainty, multiple spatial scales, multiple time scales, multimethod approaches, human–nature dimensions, and interactions. We then performed a systematic assessment of 737 articles to examine patterns in what methods are used and how these cover the complexity concepts. In general, results showed that many papers do not reference any of the complexity concepts, and no existing approach addresses all six. We used the detailed results to guide advancement from theoretical calls for action to specific next steps. Future research priorities include the development of methods for consideration of multiple hazards; for the study of interactions, particularly in linking the short- to medium-term time scales; to reduce data-intensivity; and to better integrate bottom–up and top–down approaches in a way that connects local context with higher-level decision-making. Overall this paper serves to build a shared conceptualisation of human–nature system complexity, map current practice, and navigate a complexity-smart trajectory for future research.

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Evolutionary origins for ecological patterns in space

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1918960117 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 117 (30) ◽

pp. 17482-17490 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mark C. Urban ◽

Sharon Y. Strauss ◽

Fanie Pelletier ◽

Eric P. Palkovacs ◽

Mathew A. Leibold ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Local Adaptation ◽

Environmental Gradients ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Keystone Species ◽

Future Research ◽

Evolutionary Divergence ◽

Patch Selection ◽

Fully Integrated ◽

Evolutionary Origins ◽

Ecological Patterns

Historically, many biologists assumed that evolution and ecology acted independently because evolution occurred over distances too great to influence most ecological patterns. Today, evidence indicates that evolution can operate over a range of spatial scales, including fine spatial scales. Thus, evolutionary divergence across space might frequently interact with the mechanisms that also determine spatial ecological patterns. Here, we synthesize insights from 500 eco-evolutionary studies and develop a predictive framework that seeks to understand whether and when evolution amplifies, dampens, or creates ecological patterns. We demonstrate that local adaptation can alter everything from spatial variation in population abundances to ecosystem properties. We uncover 14 mechanisms that can mediate the outcome of evolution on spatial ecological patterns. Sometimes, evolution amplifies environmental variation, especially when selection enhances resource uptake or patch selection. The local evolution of foundation or keystone species can create ecological patterns where none existed originally. However, most often, we find that evolution dampens existing environmental gradients, because local adaptation evens out fitness across environments and thus counteracts the variation in associated ecological patterns. Consequently, evolution generally smooths out the underlying heterogeneity in nature, making the world appear less ragged than it would be in the absence of evolution. We end by highlighting the future research needed to inform a fully integrated and predictive biology that accounts for eco-evolutionary interactions in both space and time.

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Nitrogen Fixation in a Changing Arctic Ocean: An Overlooked Source of Nitrogen?

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2020.596426 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Lisa W. von Friesen ◽

Lasse Riemann

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Nitrogen Fixation ◽

Primary Production ◽

Arctic Ocean ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Carbon Sink ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

The Arctic ◽

Future Research ◽

The Arctic Ocean

The Arctic Ocean is the smallest ocean on Earth, yet estimated to play a substantial role as a global carbon sink. As climate change is rapidly changing fundamental components of the Arctic, it is of local and global importance to understand and predict consequences for its carbon dynamics. Primary production in the Arctic Ocean is often nitrogen-limited, and this is predicted to increase in some regions. It is therefore of critical interest that biological nitrogen fixation, a process where some bacteria and archaea termed diazotrophs convert nitrogen gas to bioavailable ammonia, has now been detected in the Arctic Ocean. Several studies report diverse and active diazotrophs on various temporal and spatial scales across the Arctic Ocean. Their ecology and biogeochemical impact remain poorly known, and nitrogen fixation is so far absent from models of primary production in the Arctic Ocean. The composition of the diazotroph community appears distinct from other oceans – challenging paradigms of function and regulation of nitrogen fixation. There is evidence of both symbiotic cyanobacterial nitrogen fixation and heterotrophic diazotrophy, but large regions are not yet sampled, and the sparse quantitative data hamper conclusive insights. Hence, it remains to be determined to what extent nitrogen fixation represents a hitherto overlooked source of new nitrogen to consider when predicting future productivity of the Arctic Ocean. Here, we discuss current knowledge on diazotroph distribution, composition, and activity in pelagic and sea ice-associated environments of the Arctic Ocean. Based on this, we identify gaps and outline pertinent research questions in the context of a climate change-influenced Arctic Ocean – with the aim of guiding and encouraging future research on nitrogen fixation in this region.

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Water and Gender

10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.1584 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Martina Angela Caretta ◽

Brandon Anthony Rothrock

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Water Management ◽

Lived Experience ◽

Water Relations ◽

Gender Relations ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Future Research ◽

Limited Attention ◽

Gender Inequalities

Water relations are gendered, and there are various, differential socio-ecological and power dynamics that reify those relations at different spatial scales. There are multiple examples across the Global North and Global South that pinpoint the diverse productive and reproductive uses of water by men and women. Women, for instance, are more likely to be excluded from water management and decision making, while men are in control of water for agricultural production. Neoliberal framings of water in economic terms may exacerbate gender inequalities as neoliberal policies are often blind to the complex politics and power embedded in gender relations and water. Emerging literature on embodiment and emotions in waterscapes confronts neoliberal framings of water by theorizing the everyday lived experience of disenfranchised groups excluded from water management. Gendered studies of water relations focus largely on women, with limited attention to men. Male usage of water is often presented in relation to their role in water infrastructure management and design and water for leisure. As climate change becomes a more pressing issue in general society, existing uneven gendered relations of water resource use will be further exacerbated. With prevalent literature on gender relations focusing on women, future research needs to further incorporate studies of masculinity in gender relations to better inform adaptation and mitigation strategies. An understanding of gender and education would be insufficient without an understanding of both gender differentials in access to water and the gendered implications of climate change.

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Local landscape position impacts demographic rates in a widespread North American steppe bunchgrass

10.32942/osf.io/8pdwg ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Robert Shriver ◽

Erin Campbell ◽

Christopher Dailey ◽

Heather Gaya ◽

Abby Hill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Reproductive Output ◽

Environmental Gradients ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Landscape Position ◽

Environmental Drivers ◽

Lower Survival ◽

Demographic Rates ◽

Bluebunch Wheatgrass ◽

Local Topography

Understanding the environmental drivers of demographic rates and population dynamics over space and time is critical for anticipating how species will respond to climate change. While the influence of temporal environmental variation and large environmental gradients are well recognized, less is known about how local topography and landscape position influence demography over small spatial scales. Here, we investigate how local landscape position (north- vs. south-facing aspects) influence the demographic rates and population growth of a common bunchgrass in western North America, bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), using 6 annual censuses measuring growth, survival, and reproductive output. We found notably lower survival on south facing slopes, particularly among smaller individuals. In contrast, south-facing slopes maintained comparatively high reproductive output in most years, measured both as spikes per plant and spikelets per spike. When we combined these data in demographic models, we found that lower survival among small individuals and greater reliance on reproduction mean south-facing slopes would generally have to maintain higher recruitment for a stable population. Our results highlight the important influence that landscape position and local topography can have in driving population trends. As conditions warm and dry with climate change (north-faces becoming similar to current south-facing slope conditions), bluebunch wheatgrass may become more reliant on reproduction to maintain viable populations and more sensitive to variability in recruitment.

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Benthic-based contributions to climate change mitigation and adaptation

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2019.0107 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 375 (1794) ◽

pp. 20190107 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Martin Solan ◽

Elena M. Bennett ◽

Peter J. Mumby ◽

Julian Leyland ◽

Jasmin A. Godbold

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Future Research ◽

Climate Mitigation ◽

Transformative Change ◽

Urban Context ◽

Mitigation And Adaptation ◽

Societal Challenges ◽

Potential Capacity ◽

Mitigation And Adaptation Strategies

Innovative solutions to improve the condition and resilience of ecosystems are needed to address societal challenges and pave the way towards a climate-resilient future. Nature-based solutions offer the potential to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems while providing multiple other benefits for health, the economy, society and the environment. However, the implementation of nature-based solutions stems from a discourse that is almost exclusively derived from a terrestrial and urban context and assumes that risk reduction is resolved locally. We argue that this position ignores the importance of complex ecological interactions across a range of temporal and spatial scales and misses the substantive contribution from marine ecosystems, which are notably absent from most climate mitigation and adaptation strategies that extend beyond coastal disaster management. Here, we consider the potential of sediment-dwelling fauna and flora to inform and support nature-based solutions, and how the ecology of benthic environments can enhance adaptation plans. We illustrate our thesis with examples of practice that are generating, or have the potential to deliver, transformative change and discuss where further innovation might be applied. Finally, we take a reflective look at the realized and potential capacity of benthic-based solutions to contribute to adaptation plans and offer our perspectives on the suitability and shortcomings of past achievements and the prospective rewards from sensible prioritization of future research. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions'.

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Eco-evolutionary Dynamics

10.23943/princeton/9780691145433.001.0001 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 139

Author(s):

Andrew P. Hendry

Keyword(s):

Community Dynamics ◽

Evolutionary Dynamics ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Evolutionary Change ◽

Future Research ◽

Adaptive Divergence ◽

New Directions ◽

Research Questions ◽

Population And Community Dynamics ◽

Key Aspects

In recent years, scientists have realized that evolution can occur on timescales much shorter than the “long lapse of ages” emphasized by Darwin—in fact, evolutionary change is occurring all around us all the time. This book provides an authoritative and accessible introduction to eco-evolutionary dynamics, a cutting-edge new field that seeks to unify evolution and ecology into a common conceptual framework focusing on rapid and dynamic environmental and evolutionary change. The book covers key aspects of evolution, ecology, and their interactions. Topics range from natural selection, adaptive divergence, ecological speciation, and gene flow to population and community dynamics, ecosystem function, plasticity, and genomics. The book evaluates conceptual and methodological approaches, and draws on empirical data from natural populations—including those in human-disturbed environments—to tackle a number of classic and emerging research questions. It also discusses exciting new directions for future research at the intersection of ecology and evolution. The book reveals how evolution and ecology interact strongly on short timescales to shape the world we see around us.

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A framework for benchmarking land models

Biogeosciences ◽

10.5194/bg-9-3857-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 3857-3874 ◽

Cited By ~ 200

Author(s):

Y. Q. Luo ◽

J. T. Randerson ◽

G. Abramowitz ◽

C. Bacour ◽

E. Blyth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Land Surface ◽

Research Effort ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

A Priori ◽

Model Performance ◽

Future Research ◽

Test Model ◽

Performance Skills ◽

Temporal And Spatial

Abstract. Land models, which have been developed by the modeling community in the past few decades to predict future states of ecosystems and climate, have to be critically evaluated for their performance skills of simulating ecosystem responses and feedback to climate change. Benchmarking is an emerging procedure to measure performance of models against a set of defined standards. This paper proposes a benchmarking framework for evaluation of land model performances and, meanwhile, highlights major challenges at this infant stage of benchmark analysis. The framework includes (1) targeted aspects of model performance to be evaluated, (2) a set of benchmarks as defined references to test model performance, (3) metrics to measure and compare performance skills among models so as to identify model strengths and deficiencies, and (4) model improvement. Land models are required to simulate exchange of water, energy, carbon and sometimes other trace gases between the atmosphere and land surface, and should be evaluated for their simulations of biophysical processes, biogeochemical cycles, and vegetation dynamics in response to climate change across broad temporal and spatial scales. Thus, one major challenge is to select and define a limited number of benchmarks to effectively evaluate land model performance. The second challenge is to develop metrics of measuring mismatches between models and benchmarks. The metrics may include (1) a priori thresholds of acceptable model performance and (2) a scoring system to combine data–model mismatches for various processes at different temporal and spatial scales. The benchmark analyses should identify clues of weak model performance to guide future development, thus enabling improved predictions of future states of ecosystems and climate. The near-future research effort should be on development of a set of widely acceptable benchmarks that can be used to objectively, effectively, and reliably evaluate fundamental properties of land models to improve their prediction performance skills.

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Cultivating Ice over Time: On the Idea of Timeless Knowledge and Places in the Himalayas

Anthropologica ◽

10.3138/anth.582.t03 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 58 (2) ◽

pp. 193-210 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Karine Gagné

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Sense Of Community ◽

Local Knowledge ◽

Local Communities ◽

International Organisations ◽

Change Over Time ◽

Local Populations ◽

Close Study ◽

Indian Himalayas ◽

Over Time

Assumptions that local communities have an endogenous capacity to adapt to climate change stemming from time-tested knowledge and an inherent sense of community that prompts mobilisation are becoming increasingly common in material produced by international organisations. This discourse, which relies on ahistorical and apolitical conceptions of localities and populations, is based on ideas of timeless knowledge and places. Analysing the water-place nexus in Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas, through a close study of glacier practices as they change over time, the article argues that local knowledge is subject to change and must be analysed in light of changing conceptions and experiences of place by the state and by local populations alike.

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POPULATION GENETICS OF ALLOZYME VARIATION IN NEUROSPORA INTERMEDIA

Genetics ◽

10.1093/genetics/80.4.785 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 80 (4) ◽

pp. 785-805

Author(s):

P T Spieth

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Vegetative Reproduction ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Allozyme Variation ◽

Regular Feature ◽

Local Populations ◽

Neurospora Intermedia ◽

Pattern Of Variation ◽

High Level

ABSTRACT Electrophoretically detectable variation in the fungus Neurospora intermedia has been surveyed among isolates from natural populations in Malaya, Papua, Australia and Florida. The principal result is a pattern of genetic variation within and between populations that is qualitatively no different than the well documented patterns for Drosophila and humans. In particular, there is a high level of genetic variation, the majority of which occurs at the level of local populations. Evidence is presented which argues that N. intermedia has a population structure analogous to that of an annual vascular plant with a high level of vegetative reproduction. Sexual reproduction appears to be a regular feature in the biology of the species. Substantial heterokaryon function seems unlikely in natural populations of N. intermedia. Theoretical considerations concerning the mechanisms underlying the observed pattern of variation most likely should be consistent with haploid selection theory. The implications of this constraint upon the theory are discussed in detail, leading to the presentation of a model based upon the concept of environmental heterogeneity. The essence of the model, which is equally applicable to haploid and diploid situations, is a shifting distribution of multiple adaptive niches among local populations such that a given population has a small net selective pressure in favor of one allele or another, depending upon its particular distribution of niches. Gene flow among neighboring populations with differing net selective pressures is postulated as the principal factor underlying intrapopulational allozyme variation.

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