Adaptation to urban stress in (semi)aquatic organisms
Urbanization, the process of humans moving from rural to urban areas, is accompanied by a rapid change in the natural environment to accommodate the gradual increase in urban human populations. Organisms exposed to urbanization are confronted with (sometimes novel) stressors, ranging from higher temperatures, habitat fragmentation, to various kinds of pollutions (e.g. chemical, noise, light). While recent work from a wide range of taxa reveals evolution towards urban environments, identifying the main drivers of urban evolution is challenging due to the multifaceted nature of environmental impacts of urbanization. Using the semi-aquatic damselfly in common-garden experiments, I have documented a range of (potentially adaptive) evolutionary responses to various urban stressors. For example, urban populations of damselflies have genetically altered their life-history (slower larval growth in the warmer urban ponds), behaviour (changes in larval ‘personality’ to reduce pesticide uptake), and performance (adult damselflies in the highly-fragmented urban habitats are better flyers). In my upcoming project, I aim to investigate evolutionary responses to a less-studied urban stressor, artificial light at night, and this time using a fully aquatic keystone species, the zooplankton water flea Daphnia. I am especially interested in the well-known ‘diel vertical migration’ behaviour of Daphnia, and whether this behaviour, which is thought to be regulated by light, has evolved in response to the higher light pollution in urban ponds. Given the importance of Daphnia in urban freshwater systems (they are efficient grazers and control algal blooms), evolution in key traits may feed back and shape ecological interactions and consequently ecosystem functions (eco-evolutionary feedback).
IGB Colloquia open up!
IGB strives to facilitate and accelerate the exchange of knowledge and ideas within and also outside of IGB. One element contributing to inter- and transdisciplinary exchange, and more (scientific) cooperation and innovation, is to open up IGB Colloquia to an interested external audience from science (other research institutes, universities, laboratories) as well as practice (i.e. conservationists, freshwater/land-use managers, authorities, associations). If you would like to join this IGB Colloquium as a guest, we ask you to register until the morning of the colloquium 10 o'clock the latest. After we have checked your registration, you will receive the participation link.
