HR: 17:45h
AN: B54A-07 [WITHDRAWN]    [Abstracts]
TI: How much will evolution buffer changes in climate?
AU: * Franks, S J
EM: sfranks@uci.edu
AF: Fordham University, Larkin Hall Dept. of Biological Sciences Fordham University 441 E. Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458, United States
AB: Current climate change is altering the phenology, or seasonal timing of reproduction and other life-history events, of many species. There is now evidence that at least some of these changes in phenology represent genetically- based evolution. Evolution may thus potentially serve as a buffer, allowing species to adapt to changes in climatic conditions. However, there are many constraints to evolution, including lack of genetic variation, antagonistic trait correlations, and physiological and developmental constraints. Furthermore, if changes in climate are extremely rapid and severe, many species may experience extinction rather than rapid evolution. I present recent empirical evidence for evolution following changes in climate, examine constraints to evolution, and ask if evolution can keep pace with rapid climate change. The empirical work focuses on the species Brassica rapa, which I show evolved earlier flowering time following several years of drought in Southern California.
DE: 0444 Evolutionary geobiology
DE: 0476 Plant ecology (1851)
SC: Biogeosciences [B]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting