Eco-evolutionary interactions

• Natural selection is the differential fitness of individuals due to differences in phenotype.

We will study the effects of climate change on biotic and abiotic natural selection on phenological and resistance traits (WP2) by utilizing the five smaller common gardens along the latitudinal gradient described above, which include a drought treatment.

Selection differentials for each plant trait will be analyzed as a function of latitude and drought treatment to investigate the impact of these drivers on directional evolution of the plants. Multivariate selection will be evaluated in relation to negative or positive genetic correlations among traits. Responses will also be related to high-resolution climatic data from nearby weather stations.