Objective Climate change and habitat fragmentation are considered key pressures on biodiversity. Two spatial population processes are important determinants of a species’ vulnerability to habitat fragmentation and climate change: 1) the species’ ability to disperse and colonise new areas, and 2) the species’ ability to adapt to these new areas. This study will evaluate the sensitivity of the damselfly, Ishnura elegans, to habitat fragmentation versus land-use and climate change effects and assess the species’ expansion and adaptive potential using cutting edge genomics technologies. This project will utilise next-generation DNA sequencing data which allows for whole-genome analysis of evolutionary processes within naturally occurring populations under variable, and changing environments. Our sampling design will cover the species’ northern range limit located in south and central Sweden, which provides a dynamic environmental gradient that is at the forefront of range expansion under projected climate change. The overarching aim of the proposal is to identify topographic, land-use and climatic factors that determine dispersal patterns that are involved in local adaptation to environmental conditions in I. elegans. In doing so, this project will use real and simulated genetic and landscape data to test current theoretical and methodological advances concerning how organisms will adapt to widespread environmental changes via contemporary evolution, with practical implications for predicting climate change impacts on organisms. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesevolutionary biologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF - Marie Curie Action: "International Incoming Fellowships" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IIF - International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) Coordinator MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University EU contribution € 197 811,60 Address Paradisgatan 5c 22100 LUND Sweden See on map Region Södra Sverige Sydsverige Skåne län Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Peter Stenild Matthesen (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
