Reshaping the Tree of Life: ecological implications of evolution in the Anthropocene. Issue 2 (15th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Capps, Krista A; Chapman, Susan; Clay, Keith; Fresnedo‐Ramírez, Jonathan; Potts, Daniel L
• Is Part Of: Frontiers in ecology and the environment. Volume 20:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 116
• Publication Date: 2021-11-15
• Subjects: Ecology -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Ecology; Environmental sciences; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/fee.2434
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1540-9295

Abstract

Abstract : Novel in their scope and intensity, human‐mediated changes in genetic diversity through directed gene transfer technologies and longer standing human‐driven selective pressures, such as land‐use change, species introductions, mass extinctions, and broad application of antibiotics, are combining to reorganize mechanisms of evolution. The evolutionary consequences of anthropogenic change can be observed across levels of biological organization and are influencing the rate of micro‐ and macroevolutionary changes, as well as feedback among them. This may have large‐scale effects on the provisioning of ecosystem services, food security, and human health. Here, we summarize several of the ecological implications of human modification of evolutionary dynamics, focusing specifically on emerging molecular technologies, to highlight some of the challenges in predicting subsequent changes in the world's ecosystems.