Indirect response to external drivers through trait variation in predator-prey systems

生态进化动力学对于生态和进化过程是重要的，因为它们可以决定物种及其生物量的共存，以及局部适应、种内特征多样性和多态。然而，鲜为人知的是，种群和性状动态之间的生态进化反馈何时以及如何有助于缓冲外部扰动，如快速环境变化。结合建模和实验，我们的目标是发展和测试关于生态和特征动力学的相互作用如何允许系统缓冲外部扰动的一般理论。我们将研究外部扰动对具有和不具有生态进化反馈的捕食者-食饵系统的捕食者的影响。具体地说，我们将测试这样一种预测，即环境变化导致的捕食者死亡率增加和捕食者增长率下降可以通过猎物种群的适应间接缓冲，从而间接地进化拯救和促进捕食者。我们将进一步量化间接救援和便利的程度和速度，以此作为在反掠夺性防御和猎物种群内的竞争力之间权衡的函数。总体而言，这项工作将有助于从机械上理解特征和系统动态之间的反馈在变化的环境中的作用，并将有助于预测社区对这些变化的潜在反应。

Eco-evolutionary dynamics are important for ecological and evolutionary processes as they can determine coexistence of species and their biomass as well as local adaptation, intraspecific trait diversity and polymorphism. Little is known, however, when and how the eco-evolutionary feedback between population and trait dynamics contributes to buffering external perturbations such as rapid environmental changes. Combining modelling and experiments, we aim developing and testing general theory on how the interplay of ecological and trait dynamics allow systems to buffer external perturbations We will study the effects of external perturbations on a predator of a predator-prey system with and without the possibility for an eco-evolutionary feedback. Specifically, we will test the prediction that increased predator mortality and decreased predator growth rates due to an environmental change can be buffered indirectly through adaptations in the prey population, leading to indirect evolutionary rescue and facilitation of the predator. We will further quantify the extent and the speed of the indirect rescue and facilitation as a function of the trade-offs between anti-predatory defence and competitiveness within the prey population. Overall, this work will contribute to a mechanistic understanding of the role of the feedback between trait and systems dynamics in changing environments and will help predicting potential responses of communities to these changes.