98th ESA Annual Meeting (August 4 -- 9, 2013)

August 03 - 09, 2013

IGN 8

Is the Interaction of Evolutionary and Ecological Dynamics Widespread or a Special Case?

Recent work, both theoretical and empirical, has showcased the potential for interplay between evolutionary and ecological dynamics. Are existing theories and empirical case studies representative of broad phenomena or specialized, contrived scenarios? Does this work represent a small refinement or re-consideration of the fundamental eco-evolutionary framework? In some cases, this has been described as full eco-evolutionary feedbacks. In some cases there is at least an interaction between the dynamics. What it is the level of interaction at which these dynamics warrant special attention? Speakers will reflect on some of the following questions using their own work or the work of others in the format of an exploded panel discussion. Is there naturally enough standing variation to sustain the rapid evolutionary response necessary for a feedback between ecological and evolutionary dynamics? Will theoretical expectations translate to empirical studies? Will existing experimental studies that have been based in the laboratory translate to natural field systems? Are field studies representations of actual ecological and evolutionary feedbacks, or does the analogy not hold? To what degree can behavioral dynamics fill the role of evolutionary dynamics?