Ecoevolutionary Dynamics of Carbon Cycling in the Anthropocene

J Grey Monroe; David W Markman; Whitney S Beck; Andrew J Felton; Megan L Vahsen; Yamina Pressler

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2017.12.006

Ecoevolutionary Dynamics of Carbon Cycling in the Anthropocene

Trends Ecol Evol. 2018 Mar;33(3):213-225. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2017.12.006.

Authors

J Grey Monroe¹, David W Markman², Whitney S Beck³, Andrew J Felton³, Megan L Vahsen⁴, Yamina Pressler⁵

Affiliations

¹ Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; Department of Bioagricultural Science and Pest Management, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. Electronic address: monroejg@colostate.edu.
² Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
³ Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
⁴ Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; Department of Bioagricultural Science and Pest Management, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
⁵ Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.

PMID: 29398103
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2017.12.006

Abstract

Climate change is altering natural selection globally, which could shift the evolutionary trajectories of traits central to the carbon (C) cycle. Here, we examine the components necessary for the evolution of C cycling traits to substantially drive changes in global C cycling and integrate these components into a framework of ecoevolutionary dynamics. Recent evidence points to the evolution of C cycling traits during the Anthropocene and the potential to significantly affect atmospheric CO₂. We identify directions for further collaboration between evolutionary, ecosystem, and climate scientists to study these ecoevolutionary feedback dynamics and determine whether this evolution will ultimately accelerate or decelerate the current trend in rising atmospheric CO₂.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Biological Evolution*
Carbon Cycle*
Climate Change*
Ecosystem*