Prediction of genetic values and adaptive potential in the wild
This project aims to enhance understanding of eco-evolutionary processes in wild populations using advanced genomic data and statistical methods to address biodiversity loss and species adaptability.
Projectdetails
Introduction
In order to halt the ongoing biodiversity loss, we need a radically better understanding of key evolutionary and ecological processes of wild populations. The revolutionary methods of my project will enable us to utilize the rapidly-increasing volumes of high-density genomic data for wild populations, and open up unseen opportunities for genomic modeling of eco-evolutionary processes in wild systems.
Objectives
As a result, we will gain an improved understanding of why some species can cope better with the expected global changes of the environment than others. My three major objectives are to:
- Develop a broad set of tools for efficient and accurate prediction of evolutionary change and adaptive evolutionary potential in spatially and temporally structured populations.
- Provide a general theoretical foundation for the development of new methods to estimate accuracy in important parameters of eco-evolutionary dynamics.
- Quantify key processes affecting eco-evolutionary dynamics in six exceptional wild long-term study systems by applying the proposed methods.
Methodology
I will do so by developing cutting-edge statistical methodology that builds on the current state-of-the-art in animal breeding, human genomics, ecology, and evolutionary biology. As an innovative statistician with cross-disciplinary expertise and long collaborations with biologists, I am uniquely positioned for this task.
Development and Testing
All methods will be developed and tested around the six empirical data sets, as well as via extensive simulation studies that allow us to experiment with scenarios similar to those expected to be available in the near future.
Impact
My work will expand current research boundaries, both in terms of methods and theory, and has a wide range of possible applications far beyond the data at hand, which will spark additional research. Most importantly, the project will create valuable new insight into adaptive evolutionary processes and how to best preserve the Earth's biological diversity.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
Subsidiebedrag | € 1.704.982 |
Totale projectbegroting | € 1.704.982 |
Tijdlijn
Startdatum | 1-3-2025 |
Einddatum | 28-2-2030 |
Subsidiejaar | 2025 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET NTNUpenvoerder
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
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Spatio-Seasonal Eco-Evolutionary DynamicsEcoEvoMove aims to develop new eco-evolutionary theories and empirical methods to predict how wild populations can adapt to extreme seasonal climate changes and avoid extinction. | ERC Advanced... | € 2.499.752 | 2024 | Details |
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EXamining how Past demography affects genetic LOad using Ancient DNAThis project aims to use ancient DNA sequencing to investigate evolutionary responses of threespine sticklebacks to ecological changes, addressing the mutational costs of natural selection amidst climate change. | ERC Consolid... | € 625.229 | 2022 | Details |
Evolution of the genetic architecture of quantitative traitsThis project aims to develop novel statistical methods to infer the genetic architecture of quantitative traits in wild populations, enhancing predictions of adaptation and phenotype from genomic data. | ERC Starting... | € 1.443.750 | 2024 | Details |
Evolutionary dynamics of genomic erosion and its application in biodiversity conservation
ERODE aims to assess genomic erosion in endangered bird species using advanced genomic techniques to inform conservation strategies and enhance species recovery efforts.
Spatio-Seasonal Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics
EcoEvoMove aims to develop new eco-evolutionary theories and empirical methods to predict how wild populations can adapt to extreme seasonal climate changes and avoid extinction.
Eco-Evolutionary Rescue of Fragmented Populations
This project aims to develop a predictive framework for eco-evolutionary rescue analyses to assess species' adaptability to environmental changes using long-term data from house sparrow populations.
EXamining how Past demography affects genetic LOad using Ancient DNA
This project aims to use ancient DNA sequencing to investigate evolutionary responses of threespine sticklebacks to ecological changes, addressing the mutational costs of natural selection amidst climate change.
Evolution of the genetic architecture of quantitative traits
This project aims to develop novel statistical methods to infer the genetic architecture of quantitative traits in wild populations, enhancing predictions of adaptation and phenotype from genomic data.