Evolutionary and ecological processes in human-altered environments

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Through human population growth, technology and consumption, Earth's ecosystems are modified to the extent that altered environments are the predominant habitat for biodiversity. Evolutionary ecology should therefore move beyond the study of biodiversity in its natural settings to understanding its evolutionary trajectories in human-altered environments. Establishing how evolution contributes to the success or failure of biodiversity in novel habitats expands our understanding of the potential for life to respond to anthropogenic influence. Our long-term objective is a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary and ecological processes underlying adaptation and colonization, as illuminated by salmon. Perhaps more than any other vertebrate taxa, salmonid fishes have been translocated to many regions of the world where they experience natural selection in novel environments. In addition, salmon are produced both within and outside their range, by artificial propagation centers or hatcheries to meet the dual roles of production and conservation. By building on twenty-five years of research on salmon, including in their natural environment, we will now examine their evolution and ecology in human-altered environments: natural range with propagation, exotic range with propagation, and exotic range without propagation. Specifically, through field and lab studies in all three altered environments, we will: (1) quantify selection and the resulting fitness consequences to the population; (2) determine which processes either promote or discourage successful adaptation, and (3) characterize the potential for further evolution of biodiversity. Results from these three different types of human-altered environments will reveal the potential for divergence and expose the evolutionary and ecological processes at play. This will provide an advanced understanding of how biodiversity evolves in human-altered environments, and offer greatly improved control over wildlife through management. Thus the research will have both pure (discovery) and applied (conservation and exploitation) applications. We will train highly qualified personnel for research and its application to wildlife, and generate publications of high relevance to the disciplines of evolution and ecology. Because we are working with salmon, our research is economically important to Canadians and our students are certain to be in demand in private, government and academic sectors.