Landscape community genomics: understanding eco-evolutionary processes in complex environments

Trends Ecol Evol. 2015 Mar;30(3):161-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2015.01.005. Epub 2015 Jan 31.

Abstract

Extrinsic factors influencing evolutionary processes are often categorically lumped into interactions that are environmentally (e.g., climate, landscape) or community-driven, with little consideration of the overlap or influence of one on the other. However, genomic variation is strongly influenced by complex and dynamic interactions between environmental and community effects. Failure to consider both effects on evolutionary dynamics simultaneously can lead to incomplete, spurious, or erroneous conclusions about the mechanisms driving genomic variation. We highlight the need for a landscape community genomics (LCG) framework to help to motivate and challenge scientists in diverse fields to consider a more holistic, interdisciplinary perspective on the genomic evolution of multi-species communities in complex environments.

Keywords: adaptation; co-evolution; community genetics; landscape genetics; landscape genomics; population connectivity; species interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / genetics
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Ecosystem*
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genetics, Population
  • Metagenomics*