Module overview
Evolutionary processes impact on individuals, populations, and communities. Evolution typically happens over long time periods, but this is not always the case. Strong selection can result in rapid evolution. This is underpinned by understanding the genetics of evolution. In this module, we will examine various ways in which ecology and evolution interact. The module will be taught by two members of staff and will reflect their current research interests. It will begin by investigating the interaction between humans, animals, and plants and how domestication has given rise to the society we see today. An understanding of evolutionary processes, using domestication as a model system, will be investigated. Then we will focus on exploring the different ways in which interacting organisms can influence each other’s evolution, and how coevolution manifest itself in different types of interactions. Finally, we will discuss how species originate, starting from natural selection and genetic drift in reproductively isolated populations, evolving into locally adapted populations, and resulting in divergence into separate taxa and speciation. Varied though the topics in this module are, they all highlight the interaction between ecology and evolution.
Linked modules
BIOL2001