[3] Recent studies have documented eco-evolutionary dynamics and feedback, which is the cyclic interaction between evolution and ecology,[4] in natural and laboratory systems at different levels of biological organization, such as populations, communities, and ecosystems.
[3] Once it was recognized that evolutionary processes could happen relatively quickly and on a shorter timescale, which was contrary to the previous idea associated with Darwin's work, the concept of eco-evolutionary dynamics emerged.
[1] Indeed, increasing evidence shows that evolution can also operate on fine time scales simultaneously with ecological processes.
[6][7] While it has been difficult to research eco-evolutionary dynamics in natural systems, it has been successfully documented using models and laboratory studies.
[2][8][9][10][11][12] Contributions to the research of eco-evolutionary dynamics include empirical studies on rotifers and green algae,[13] Darwin’s finches,[14] fruit flies,[15] alewife–zooplankton interactions,[4] and Trinidadian guppies.
The change in the distribution of heritable traits or genotype frequency within a population over a few generations is considered rapid evolution or microevolution.
Variation in the defenses against consumption in the algal genotypes influence the growth rate and population density of the rotifers, which feedback to alter the gene frequencies in the algae.
[8] The selective pressures lead to genetic and phenotypic variation, which influence ecosystem variables such as decomposition, nutrient cycling, and primary productivity.
Predation pressure in an environment caused evolutionary changes in the life-history traits of the guppies, which affected ecosystem processes.
[4] Guppies' living in an environment with high predation lead to the fish giving birth more frequently and to smaller offspring.