The value of long-term ecological research for evolutionary insights

Jennifer M. Cocciardi, Ava M. Hoffman, Diego F. Alvarado-Serrano, Jill Anderson, Meghan Blumstein, Emma L. Boehm, Lana G. Bolin, Israel T. Borokini, Gideon S. Bradburd, Haley A. Branch, Lars A. Brudvig, Yanni Chen, Scott L. Collins, David L. Des Marais, Diana Gamba, Niall P. Hanan, Mia M. Howard, Joseph Jaros, Thomas E. Juenger, Nicholas J. KooyersEzra J. Kottler, Jennifer A. Lau, Mitra Menon, David A. Moeller, Thomas J. Mozdzer, Seema N Sheth, Melinda Smith, Katherine Toll, Mark C. Ungerer, Megan L. Vahsen, Susana M. Wadgymar, Amy Waananen, Kenneth D. Whitney, Meghan L. Avolio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Scientists must have an integrative understanding of ecology and evolution across spatial and temporal scales to predict how species will respond to global change. Although comprehensively investigating these processes in nature is challenging, the infrastructure and data from long-term ecological research networks can support cross-disciplinary investigations. We propose using these networks to advance our understanding of fundamental evolutionary processes and responses to global change. For ecologists, we outline how long-term ecological experiments can be expanded for evolutionary inquiry, and for evolutionary biologists, we illustrate how observed long-term ecological patterns may motivate new evolutionary questions. We advocate for collaborative, multi-site investigations and discuss barriers to conducting evolutionary work at network sites. Ultimately, these networks offer valuable information and opportunities to improve predictions of species’ responses to global change.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1584-1592
Number of pages9
JournalNature Ecology and Evolution
Volume8
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Springer Nature Limited 2024.

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article
  • Review

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