Eco-evolutionary dynamics in two-species mutualistic systems : one-sided population decline triggers joint interaction disinvestment
Weyerer, Franz ; Weinbach, Avril LU
; Zarfl, Christiane
and Allhoff, Korinna T.
(2023)
In Evolutionary Ecology
37(6).
p.981-999
- Abstract
The interplay between ecological and evolutionary dynamics can create feedback that reinforces external disturbances and potentially threatens species’ coexistence. For example, plants might invest less into attracting insect pollinators (decreased flower or nectar production) and more into independence (increased selfing or vegetative reproduction) when faced with pollinator decline. This adaptive response saves plant resources at the cost of further threatening the pollinator population. We ask under which conditions such self-reinforcing feedback occurs in two-species mutualistic systems when considering one-sided population decline and whether it can be counteracted by self-dampening feedback if co-evolution of both interaction... (More)
The interplay between ecological and evolutionary dynamics can create feedback that reinforces external disturbances and potentially threatens species’ coexistence. For example, plants might invest less into attracting insect pollinators (decreased flower or nectar production) and more into independence (increased selfing or vegetative reproduction) when faced with pollinator decline. This adaptive response saves plant resources at the cost of further threatening the pollinator population. We ask under which conditions such self-reinforcing feedback occurs in two-species mutualistic systems when considering one-sided population decline and whether it can be counteracted by self-dampening feedback if co-evolution of both interaction partners is considered. Based on a mathematical model and in line with previous studies, we find that the described pattern of accelerated population decline occurs for a wide range of parameter values if a concave allocation trade-off between independent growth and interaction investment is assumed. The undisturbed population typically disinvests first, which then forces the declining population to also disinvest, in favour of other energy sources. However, a decelerated population decline can occur if the adaptation of the undisturbed partner is relatively slow compared to environmental decay, reducing the speed of its disinvestment, or if the initial investment into the interaction was very high. Our results suggest that if actions are taken to save endangered populations, not only the evolution of the target species but also of their interaction partner, as well as the interaction between them should be considered.
(Less)
- author
- Weyerer, Franz
; Weinbach, Avril
LU
; Zarfl, Christiane
and Allhoff, Korinna T.
- publishing date
- 2023-12
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Adaptive dynamics, Coevolution, Evolutionary murder, Evolutionary rescue, Insect decline, Mutualism
- in
- Evolutionary Ecology
- volume
- 37
- issue
- 6
- pages
- 19 pages
- publisher
- Springer
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85173760416
- ISSN
- 0269-7653
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10682-023-10264-2
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- no
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).
- id
- 384e4b95-1037-4029-b93c-a9022bed761c
- date added to LUP
- 2025-03-18 16:55:06
- date last changed
- 2025-04-04 14:23:24
@article{384e4b95-1037-4029-b93c-a9022bed761c,
abstract = {{<p>The interplay between ecological and evolutionary dynamics can create feedback that reinforces external disturbances and potentially threatens species’ coexistence. For example, plants might invest less into attracting insect pollinators (decreased flower or nectar production) and more into independence (increased selfing or vegetative reproduction) when faced with pollinator decline. This adaptive response saves plant resources at the cost of further threatening the pollinator population. We ask under which conditions such self-reinforcing feedback occurs in two-species mutualistic systems when considering one-sided population decline and whether it can be counteracted by self-dampening feedback if co-evolution of both interaction partners is considered. Based on a mathematical model and in line with previous studies, we find that the described pattern of accelerated population decline occurs for a wide range of parameter values if a concave allocation trade-off between independent growth and interaction investment is assumed. The undisturbed population typically disinvests first, which then forces the declining population to also disinvest, in favour of other energy sources. However, a decelerated population decline can occur if the adaptation of the undisturbed partner is relatively slow compared to environmental decay, reducing the speed of its disinvestment, or if the initial investment into the interaction was very high. Our results suggest that if actions are taken to save endangered populations, not only the evolution of the target species but also of their interaction partner, as well as the interaction between them should be considered.</p>}},
author = {{Weyerer, Franz and Weinbach, Avril and Zarfl, Christiane and Allhoff, Korinna T.}},
issn = {{0269-7653}},
keywords = {{Adaptive dynamics; Coevolution; Evolutionary murder; Evolutionary rescue; Insect decline; Mutualism}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{6}},
pages = {{981--999}},
publisher = {{Springer}},
series = {{Evolutionary Ecology}},
title = {{Eco-evolutionary dynamics in two-species mutualistic systems : one-sided population decline triggers joint interaction disinvestment}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10682-023-10264-2}},
doi = {{10.1007/s10682-023-10264-2}},
volume = {{37}},
year = {{2023}},
}