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Climate change is not only inevitable as it is already irreversible. In contrast to most past changes, the current human-made changes are abrupt and will unleash widespread extreme weather, with dramatic consequences for ecosystems and evolution. With this scenario of rapid alterations, it is urgent to improve our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary patterns by which natural populations adapt at different rates.
In this Q-Team, we will use a research-based learning approach to answer the question of “how ecological interactions affect the evolutionary rate of adaptation to change?”. The seminar will offer a venue for pro-active participation by the students in the learning process, while addressing the topics of climate change, ecological interactions, and evolution, as well as the different stages of a research project. Students will have the opportunity to perform independent research, both individually and in group, by focusing on a subordinate question defined by their favorite phylogeny and ecological interaction. By promoting interactive and hands-on sessions, the seminar will employ open-source resources such as large trait databases and software methods for estimating transition rates in adaptive traits during evolution. With this joint goal-oriented work as a research team, students will generate new knowledge useful to improve predictions of future ecosystem dynamics under climate change.
The Q-Team aims to provide an interdisciplinary and collaborative setting fitted for students of the MSc in Organismal Biology, Biodiversity and Evolution and MSc in Global Change Geography. Students of other biology degrees and political science with strong interest in biodiversity and climate change are encouraged to participate. Students should bring to the team a proactive and participative attitude in every session as well as the resolve to undertake a challenging question, learn a complex method, and assimilate interdisciplinary ideas. The ability to read and discuss scientific papers and motivation to discuss and communicate the implications of results is required. |
