Evolution in a changing environment

Recent changes in the earth's climate have been associated with numerous changes in populations of animals and plants, but we still have only limited knowledge of the actual mechanisms driving responses to climate change. I will analyse the impact of rapid environmental change on evolutionary processes using exceptional long-term records from two wild animal populations. I will thereby provide the first analysis of the relative contributions of four key processes to responses to climate change, and determine in particular the extent to which a shifting environment will accelerate or constrain evolutionary adaptation. My research will set a new benchmark for understanding the effects of climate change on evolutionary processes.