MaxPersist · Maximising plant and animal population persistence in an increasingly stochastic world

Maximising plant and animal population persistence in an increasingly stochastic world

MaxPersist focuses on examining how human-induced changes can impact plant and animal species, potentially forcing them out of their optimal life-history patterns. The project has introduced innovative theoretical approaches to comprehend how natural populations worldwide may adapt their life-history strategies in response to changing environmental conditions. By studying hundreds of species, MaxPersist aims to predict how these populations will persist amidst growing environmental unpredictability. The specific objectives of MaxPersist are aligned with three key hypotheses: Hypothesis H1: Increased environmental unpredictability leads to the development of new life-history strategies. Hypothesis H2: Higher environmental variability alters the correlations between vital rates. Hypothesis H3: Elevated environmental stochasticity weakens the influence of other ecological and evolutionary factors on life-history strategies' viability. The project's objectives include: Objective 1.1: Investigating the long-term demographic viability offered by more than two demographic strategies. Theoretical Advances: We developed models showcasing diverse demographic strategies beyond buffering and lability. Collaborative Efforts: I established an international working group to explore these concepts. We introduced the S-elasticity measure to assess population fitness impacts. Objective 1.2: Comparing demographic strategies across populations of the same species in varying environments. Data Analysis: We used demographic data from a desert plant to reveal differences across populations. We introduced Integrated Demographic Profiles (IDPs) to interpret fitness effects comprehensively. Objectives 2.1 and 2.2: Studying how environmental stochasticity influences vital rate correlations. We explored selection forces on vital rate correlations and their dynamics and are currently preparing manuscripts on the dynamics of these correlations. Objectives 3.1 and 3.2: Assessing how environmental stochasticity impacts ecological and evolutionary forces on life-history strategies. We are using Phylogenetic Comparative Methods to quantify these impacts, we analyzed the dynamics of fitness effects under different environmental conditions. The project has resulted in published articles and ongoing manuscripts targeting esteemed journals, such as the Journal of Animal Ecology and American Naturalist. By exploring the joint effects of various factors on demographic strategies, MaxPersist contributes valuable insights into species' adaptability in dynamic environments.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union