Evolvability meets biogeography: evolutionary potential decreases at high and low environmental favourability

摘要: Understanding and forecasting the effects of environmental change on wild populations requires knowledge a critical question: do have ability to evolve in response that change? However, our how evolution works conditions under different circumstances is extremely limited. We investigated variation influences evolutionary potential phenotypic traits. used published data collect or calculate 135 estimates evolvability morphological traits European bird populations. characterized favourability each population throughout species9 breeding distribution. Our results suggest decreases as becomes high low. Strong selection pressures intra-specific competition may reduce low- high- areas, respectively. This suggests species be least able adapt new climate at their range margins centre. underscore need consider when studying drivers distributions, particularly predicting change. discuss utility integrating dynamics into biogeographical perspective understand shapes patterns. approach would also produce more reliable predictions about effect persistence therefore biodiversity.