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Global Mean Temperatures Are Rising Rapidly Due To The

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Global mean temperatures are rising rapidly due to the anthropogenic activities of the last two centuries.

Environmental stressors are affecting populations around the globe, altering their fecundity, morphology, and

overall fitness. Changes in selection pressure will inevitably decrease the size and range of most populations,

while increasing a select few. Evolutionary models can be a good predictor of an organism’s fitness under

dynamic conditions. Multiple models are available, but which model is best suited for a given species, trait, or

environmental condition is debatable. While many models have provided insight into evolutionary events of

the past, they may prove to be inadequate in predicting changes under the expedited rates …show more content…

In “Genetics of Climate Change Adaptation”, Franks and Hoffmann identify that changes in

ecological range can be an immediate response to adapt to altered conditions.4 For example, migration patterns

can shift pole-wards in response to rising temperatures, however, many species are restricted in

their migration or translocation. Aitken et al., “Adaptation, Migration, and Extirpation: Climate Change

Outcomes for Tree Populations”, argue that long-distance seed dispersal among flora is rare and difficult to

predict or model.5 Species with no or limited mobility would require multiple generations to migrate short

distances. Plant species would be disproportionally affected by their restraints on an expedient

translocation. Climate change may prove beneficial for many species by increasing available resources or

geographically extending their optimal temperature range.6 For example, species with higher optimal

temperatures may see changes in northern/southern geographical boundaries, thus increasing geographical range.7 Franks is an evolutionary biologist, and by looking at previous work by Hoffmann, has persuaded

Hoffmann to look at more the genetics. Evolutionary success under climate change will depend on multiple

factors including genetics, however plasticity and temporal/special shifts can respond within several

generations. Most species have been shown to have high

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