Behavioral responses to changing environments

Bob B M Wong, Ulrika Candolin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

699 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Humans have brought about unprecedented changes to environments worldwide. For many species, behavioral adjustments represent the first response to altered conditions. In this review, we consider the pivotal role that behavior plays in determining the fate of species under human-induced environmental change and highlight key research priorities. In particular, we discuss the importance of behavioral plasticity and whether adaptive plastic responses are sufficient in keeping pace with changing conditions. We then examine the interplay between individual behavioral responses and population processes and consider the many ways in which changes in behavior can affect ecosystem function and stability. Lastly, we turn to the evolutionary consequences of anthropogenic change and consider the impact of altered behaviors on the evolutionary process and whether behavior can facilitate or hinder adaptation to environmental change
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)665-673
Number of pages9
JournalBehavioral Ecology
Volume26
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Keywords

  • adaptation
  • anthropogenic change
  • biodiversity
  • evolutionary rescue
  • extinction
  • phenotypic plasticity

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