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The genetics model system Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. lives across a vast geographic range with contrasting climates, in response to which it has evolved diverse life histories and phenotypic adaptations. In the last decade, the cataloging of worldwide populations, DNA sequencing of whole genomes, and conducting of outdoor field experiments have transformed it into a powerful evolutionary ecology system to understand the genomic basis of adaptation. Here, we summarize new insights on Arabidopsis following the coordinated efforts of the 1001 Genomes Project, the latest reconstruction of biogeographic and demographic history, and the systematic genomic mapping of trait natural variation through 15 years of genome-wide association studies. We then put this in the context of local adaptation across climates by summarizing insights from 73 Arabidopsis outdoor common garden experiments conducted to date. We conclude by highlighting how molecular and genomic knowledge of adaptation can help us to understand species’ (mal)adaptation under ongoing climate change. 

Quantifying species’ niches across a clade reveals how environmental tolerances evolve, and offers insights into present and future distributions. We use herbarium specimens to explore climate niche evolution across 14 annual species of theStreptanthus(s.l.) clade (Brassicaceae), which originated in deserts and diversified into cooler, moister areas. To understand how climate niches evolved, we used historical climate records to estimate each species’ 1) classic annual climate niche, averaged over specimen collection sites; 2) growing season niche, from estimated specimen germination date to collection date, averaged across specimens (specimen-specific niche); and 3) standardized seasonal niche based on average growing seasons of all species (clade-seasonal niche). In addition to estimating how phenological variation maps onto climate niche evolution, we explored how spatial refugia shape the climate experienced by species by 1) analyzing how field soil texture changes relative to the climate space that species occupy and 2) comparing soil water holding capacity from each specimen locality to that of surrounding areas. Specimen-specific niches exhibited less clade-wide variation in climatic water deficit (CWD) than did annual or clade-seasonal niches, and specimen-specific temperature niches showed no phylogenetic signal, in contrast to annual and clade-seasonal temperature niches. Species occupying cooler regions tracked hotter and drier climates by growing later into the summer, and by inhabiting refugia on drought-prone soils. These results underscore how phenological shifts, spatial refugia, and germination timing shape “lived” climate. Despite occupying a large range of annual climates, we found these species are constrained in the conditions under which they thrive. 

Summary Herbarium specimens are widely distributed in space and time, thereby capturing diverse conditions. We reconstructed specimen ‘lived’ climate from knowledge of germination cues and collection dates for 14 annual species in theStreptanthus(s.l.) clade (Brassicaceae) to ask: which climate attributes best explain specimen phenological stage and estimated reproduction? Are climate effects on phenology and reproduction evolutionarily conserved?We used climate data geolocated to collection sites to reconstruct the climate experienced by specimens and to ask which aspects of climate best explain specimen reproductive traits. We mapped slopes of climate relationships with these traits on the phylogeny to explore evolutionary constraint and models of evolution.Precipitation amount and onset, more than temperature, best predicted specimen phenology, but weakly predicted reproduction. Earlier rainfall was associated with more phenological advancement, a relationship that showed phylogenetic signal. Few climate predictors explained specimen reproduction. Phenological compensation, interactions with other species, or challenges in estimating total reproduction from specimens may reduce the signal between climate and reproduction.We highlight the value of specimen‐tailored growing season estimates for reconstructing climate, incorporating evolutionary relationships in assessing responses to climate. We propose supplemental collection protocols to increase the utility of specimens for understanding climate impacts.