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的共存及其生物量以及当地适应性，种内性状多样性和多态性。然而，很少有人知道，何时以及如何种群和性状动态之间的生态进化反馈有助于缓冲外部扰动，如快速的环境变化。 结合建模和实验，我们的目标是开发和测试一般理论的相互作用的生态和性状动态允许系统缓冲外部扰动我们将研究外部扰动的影响，捕食者的捕食系统，没有生态进化反馈的可能性。具体来说，我们将测试的预测，增加捕食者的死亡率和减少捕食者的增长率，由于环境的变化，可以通过在猎物种群的适应间接缓冲，导致间接的进化救援和促进的捕食者。我们将进一步量化的程度和速度的间接救援和促进反掠夺性防御和竞争力之间的权衡猎物人口的功能。总的来说，这项工作将有助于机械的理解的角色之间的反馈特性和系统动态变化的环境，并将有助于预测潜在的社区对这些变化的反应。

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.