Integration of population and evolutionary ecology based on first principles

1. 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

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

3. 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 • II.Principle of growth regulation • II.Principle of robust coexistence • III.Principle of inherited variations • III.Principle of natural selection • III.Principle of allocation • Introduction • Integration • R&E • First Principles • Pop. Eco & Evo • Textbook • First Principles • Book sections • Example chapter • Outlook

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

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

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

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

8. Principle of exponential growth Populations of living organisms are able to grow exponentially in number. • Introduction • Integration • First Principles • Exponential growth • Growth regulation • Robust coexistence • Inherited variations • Natural selection • Allocation • Book sections • Example chapter • Outlook 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.

9. Principle of inherited variations Errors always occur when the genetic material is replicated. Repeated emergence of inherited variation within populations is unavoidable. • Introduction • Integration • First Principles • Exponential growth • Growth regulation • Robust coexistence • Inherited variations • Natural selection • Allocation • Book sections • Example chapter • Outlook 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.

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

11. Principle of robust coexistence 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. 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 Introduction Integration First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook

12. II.2. Competition and coexistence • Sub-chapters: • Geographical distribution and competition • 1. note: Survival of the fitter in populations with exponential growth • 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 • Competition for more regulating factors • Strength of interspecific competition and therobustness of coexistence • Niche and realized ecological tolerance Introduction Integration First Principles Book sections Example chapter Outlook

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

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

15. Competition and coexistence

16. Outlook • Ecology: „The science of the struggle for existence.” Haeckel, 1866; Cooper, 2003 • Regulation of population growth is a must. • 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

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

18. 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