Seasonal life histories in changing environments

Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Zepeng Sun

Zepeng Sun

Climate change has a strong influence on ecosystems, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. In particular, climate change is altering the seasonal dynamics of many species and the timing of their interactions with other species. For example, both mammals and birds are strongly affected by ambient temperature and resource availability, especially in their timing of life-history transitions such as growth, reproduction, maturation, migration, hibernation, and molting.

 In this project, we will examine stage-structured consumer-resource interactions and the evolution of a consumer’s seasonal reproduction schedule using the theory of function-valued adaptive dynamics. Considering how patterns of resource availability are influenced by seasons and altered by climate change, we will analyze the conditions under which individuals with alterative reproduction schedules can invade established populations. Studying the resultant eco-evolutionary processes will enable us to assess how populations in seasonal environments will need to adjust their life histories in order to cope with changing seasonal patterns in their environments.



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Last edited: 24 March 2016

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