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Rapid adaptive evolution to drought in a subset of plant traits in a large-scale climate change experiment
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  • Johannes Metz,
  • Christian Lampei,
  • Laura Bäumler,
  • Herve Bocherens,
  • Hannes Dittberner,
  • Lorenz Henneberg,
  • Juliette de Meaux,
  • Katja Tielbörger
Johannes Metz
University of Hildesheim

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Christian Lampei
University of Münster, University of Muenster
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Laura Bäumler
University of Tübingen
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Herve Bocherens
University of Tübingen
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Hannes Dittberner
University of Cologne
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Lorenz Henneberg
University of Tübingen
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Juliette de Meaux
University of Cologne
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Katja Tielbörger
University of Tübingen
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Abstract

Rapid evolution of traits and of plasticity may enable adaptation to climate change, yet solid experimental evidence under natural conditions is scarce. Here, we imposed rainfall manipulations (+30%, control, -30%) for ten years on entire natural plant communities in two Eastern Mediterranean sites. Additional sites along a natural rainfall gradient and selection analyses in a greenhouse assessed whether potential responses were adaptive. In both sites, our annual target species Biscutella didyma consistently evolved earlier phenology and higher reproductive allocation under drought. Multiple arguments suggest that this response was adaptive: it aligned with theory, corresponding trait shifts along the natural rainfall gradient, and selection analyses under differential watering in the greenhouse. However, another seven candidate traits did not evolve, and there was little support for evolution of plasticity. Our results provide compelling evidence for rapid adaptive evolution under climate change. Yet, several non-evolving traits may indicate potential constraints to full adaptation.
15 Jun 2020Submitted to Ecology Letters
16 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor
16 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
18 Jun 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
15 Jul 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Jul 2020Editorial Decision: Accept
Nov 2020Published in Ecology Letters volume 23 issue 11 on pages 1643-1653. 10.1111/ele.13596