Integration of population and evolutionary ecology based on first principles Linking research and education Liz Pásztor, Zoltán Botta-Dukát, Tamás Czárán, Gabriella Magyar, Géza Meszéna Eötvös University of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary

Linking research and education Outline: Introduction Integration R&E First Principles Pop. Eco & Evo Textbook First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook General theory Textbook Integration!

First principles General, model-free, robust statements, that must be valid also in structured and fluctuating environments. Book section I. Principle of exponential population growth I. Principle of exponential population growth II. Principle of growth regulation II. Principle of growth regulation II. Principle of robust coexistence II. Principle of robust coexistence III. Principle of inherited variations III. Principle of inherited variations III. Principle of natural selection III. Principle of natural selection III. Principle of allocation III. Principle of allocation Introduction Integration R&E First Principles Pop. Eco & Evo Textbook First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook

Introduction Integration R&E First Principles Pop. Eco & Evo Textbook First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook Population & evolutionary ecology Book sections

Textbook: Chapter modules Introduction Integration R&E First Principles Pop. Eco & Evo Textbook structure example First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook Notes: something interesting Outlook: main research lines further readings hot problems Block: case study method model Messages Introduction: the context Main text …

Textbook: examples Introduction Integration R&E First Principles Pop. Eco & Evo Textbook structure example First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook Introduction Main text Figure Chapter title

Textbook: examples Note: Principle of natural selection Main text Figure Introduction Integration R&E First Principles Pop. Eco & Evo Textbook structure example First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook

Principle of exponential growth Introduction Integration First Principles Exponential growth Growth regulation Robust coexistence Inherited variations Natural selection Allocation Book sections Example chapter Outlook Populations of living organisms are able to grow exponentially in number. Principle of growth regulation Exponential population growth occurs only temporarily in nature. The mean rate of population increase is regulated. Principle of robust coexistence Populations may coexist if their growth regulation differs. The larger the difference in their regulation the more robust their coexistence is.

Principle of inherited variations Introduction Integration First Principles Exponential growth Growth regulation Robust coexistence Inherited variations Natural selection Allocation Book sections Example chapter Outlook Errors always occur when the genetic material is replicated. Repeated emergence of inherited variation within populations is unavoidable. Principle of natural selection If there is difference between the population growth rates of individuals with different heritable traits, the one with the higher growth rate exponentially outgrows the one with the smaller growth rate. Principle of allocation Life-history traits increasing the population growth rate (fitness) are in trade-off, that is, they can increase at the expense of each other only.

Population & evolutionary ecology I. Population explosions I.1. Exponential capacity of population increase I.2. Capacity of spreading II.1. Regulated growth of populations II.3. Coexistence in space and time II. Regulation and coexistence III.1. Inherited variations III. Selection, adaptation and genetic variations III.2. Rapid selection and spatial differentiation III.3. Individual & population interactions and natural selection II.4. Ecological webs Introduction Integration First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook Book sections II.2. Competition and coexistence

Principle of robust coexistence Research areas: Population dynamics, population genetics, population interactions (competition), niche theory, biogeography, evolutionary ecology Key concepts: geographical distribution, competitors, competitive exclusion, exploitative and interference competition, fundamental and realized ecological tolerance (Hutchinson’s niche concept), limiting similarity, robust coexistence, components of the feed-back loop, impact and sensitivity Populations sharing regulating factors may coexist if their growth regulation differs. The larger the difference is in their regulation the more robust their coexistence is. Introduction Integration First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook

II.2. Competition and coexistence Sub-chapters: 1.Geographical distribution and competition 1. note: Survival of the fitter in populations with exponential growth 2.Competition for a single regulating factor 2. note: Survival of the fitter in populations with logistic growth 1. block: Basic models of interspecific competition Lotka-Volterra models Tilman model of competition for two nutrients: Graphic representation Components of population regulation 3.Competition for more regulating factors 4.Strength of interspecific competition and the robustness of coexistence 5.Niche and realized ecological tolerance Introduction Integration First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook

II.2. Competition and coexistence Introduction Integration First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook

II.2. Competition and coexistence Introduction Integration First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook

Competition and coexistence

Outlook Ecology: Ecology: „The science of the struggle for existence.” Haeckel, 1866; Cooper, 2003 Regulation of population growth is a must. Regulation of population growth is a must. A general theory is not only possible but it is also very useful. A general theory is not only possible but it is also very useful. Integration, operationality, disciplinarity Introduction Integration First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook

Linking research and education Effective education requires clarity and a coherent presentation. Clarity and coherent presentation improves research.

Special thanks to the co-editor and co-authors of the „Ecology” book! Oborny Beáta Kalapos Tibor Major Ágnes Scheuring István Jordán Ferenc Kun Ádám Hahn István

Principle of exponential growth Research areas: Population dynamics, ecophysiology, demography, life- history, biogeography, spatial ecology, behavioral ecology Key concepts: 1.1. ecological population, mendelian population, abundance, exponential growth, finite and instantaneous growth rates, innate capacity for increase, RGR 1.2. ecological environmental factor, range of ecological tolerance, response curves, 1.3. cohort, age-structure, static and dynamic life-tables, survival curves, effective fecundity, stable age-structure, population structure by developmental stage or size 2. distribution, area, flora, fauna, invasion, endemic species, dispersal, dispersal distance, home range, diffusion, spreading, Introduction Integration First Principles Exponential growth Growth regulation Robust coexistence Inherited variations Natural selection Allocation Book sections Example chapter Outlook Populations of living organisms are able to grow exponentially in number.