Evolutionary trap

Abstract: When an animal settles preferentially in a habitat within which it does poorly relative to other available habitats, it is said to have been caught in an "ecological trap" Although the theoretical possibility that animals may be so trapped is widely recognized, the absence of a clear mechanistic understanding of what constitutes a trap means that much of the literature cited as support for the idea may be weak, at best Here, we develop a conceptual model to explain how an ecological trap might work, outline the specific criteria that are necessary for demonstrating the existence of an ecological trap, and provide tools for researchers to use in detecting ecological traps We then review the existing literature and summarize the state of empirical evidence for the existence of traps Our conceptual model suggests that there are two basic kinds of ecological traps and three mechanisms by which traps may be created To this point in time, there are still only a few solid empirical examples of ecological traps in the published literature (although those few examples suggest that both types of traps and all three of the predicted mechanisms do exist in nature) Therefore, ecological traps are either rare in nature, are difficult to detect, or both An improved library of empirical studies will be essential if we are to develop a more synthetic understanding of the mechanisms that can trigger maladaptive behavior in general and the specific conditions under which ecological traps might occur

Abstract: Preface. Acknowledgments. 1 A History of Biogeography. 2 Patterns of Distribution. 3 Communities and Ecosystems. 4 Patterns of Biodiversity. 5 The Engines of the Planet I: Plate Tectonics. 6 The Engines of the Planet II:Evolution, the Source of Novelty. 7 From Evolution to Patterns of Life. 8 Life,Death,and Evolution on Islands. 9 Drawing Lines in the Water. 10 Living in the Past. 11 The Geography of Life Today. 12 Ice and Change. 13 The Advent of Humanity. 14 Into the Future. Conservation Biogeography. Further Reading. References. Glossary. Index.

Abstract: Many evolutionary processes are influenced by environmental variation over space and time, including genetic divergence among populations, speciation and evolutionary change in morphology, physiology and behaviour. Yet, evolutionary biologists have generally not taken advantage of the extensive environmental data available from geographic information systems (GIS). For example, studies of phylogeography, speciation and character evolution often ignore or use only crude proxies for environmental variation (e.g. latitude and distance between populations). Here, we describe how the integration of GIS-based environmental data, along with new spatial tools, can transform evolutionary studies and reveal new insights into the ecological causes of evolutionary patterns.

Abstract: Human-induced rapid environmental change (HIREC; e.g., climate change or exotic species) has caused global species declines. Although behavioral plasticity has buffered some species against HIREC, maladaptive behavioral scenarios called 'evolutionary traps' are increasingly common, threatening the persistence of affected species. Here, we review examples of evolutionary traps to identify their anthropogenic causes, behavioral mechanisms, and evolutionary bases, and to better forecast forms of HIREC liable to trigger traps. We summarize a conceptual framework for explaining the susceptibility of animals to traps that integrates the cost-benefit approach of standard behavioral ecology with an evolutionary approach (reaction norms) to understanding cue-response systems (signal detection). Finally, we suggest that a significant revision of conceptual thinking in wildlife conservation and management is needed to effectively eliminate and mitigate evolutionary traps.