Lecture 3 Evolution of Global Change

Question 1

Extirpation is

Answer 1

extinction of local population

Question 1

7 forms of global change

Answer 1

Temperature
Droughts and fires: cause by change in precipitation.
Hurricanes and floods
Habitat loss: human introduced palm trees instead of old-growth
Pollution: micro/nano plastics gyres, noise/light pollution (confusing signals for animals)
Ocean acidification: carbonate ions impede shells’ formation
Invasive species: aquatic life

Question 2

Global change can cause species to what?

Answer 2

Under global change and other disturbances, species become maladapted and can decline to extinction/extirpation if they don’t shift their phenotypes to match.

Question 3

Two types of scenarios for model of optimum curve are

Answer 3

abrupt/gradual shift in the optimum

Question 4

Two ways populations match to environment

Answer 4

1. Move to appropriate location
2. Stay but change phenotypes through plasticity (individual choice, not evolution), or evolution

Question 5

5 statements about ecology and evolution of global change

Answer 5

Organisms are increasingly maladapted (ecological traps: wrong signals)
Abundances are decreasing. (Ex. Lonesome George, The Curse of the Labrador Duck)
Extirpations/extinctions are increasing: extirpation leads to extinction
Species’ ranges are changing:
* Turkey vultures (elevational shifts upwards)
* Fishes, invertebrates moving north (latitudinal shifts)
Species’ traits are changing:
* (Fish gets smaller b/c they get younger. Horns, elephant tusks)
* Rate of trait change unit (h – haldanes)
* Conclusion from case study: Human disturbance is impactful

Question 6

Question of evolutionary rescue

Answer 6

can population adapt so that it is out of risk zone?