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Title: Beyond simple adaptation: Incorporating other evolutionary processes and concepts into eco‐evolutionary dynamics
Studies of eco‐evolutionary dynamics have integrated evolution with ecological processes at multiple scales (populations, communities and ecosystems) and with multiple interspecific interactions (antagonistic, mutualistic and competitive). However, evolution has often been conceptualised as a simple process: short‐term directional adaptation that increases population growth. Here we argue that diverse other evolutionary processes, well studied in population genetics and evolutionary ecology, should also be considered to explore the full spectrum of feedback between ecological and evolutionary processes. Relevant but underappreciated processes include (1) drift and mutation, (2) disruptive selection causing lineage diversification or speciation reversal and (3) evolution driven by relative fitness differences that may decrease population growth. Because eco‐evolutionary dynamics have often been studied by population and community ecologists, it will be important to incorporate a variety of concepts in population genetics and evolutionary ecology to better understand and predict eco‐evolutionary dynamics in nature.

 
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Award ID(s):
1933497
PAR ID:
10490912
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley (Ecology Letters)
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Ecology Letters
Volume:
26
Issue:
S1
ISSN:
1461-023X
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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