Rapid Evolution of Invasive Weeds Under Climate Change: Present Evidence and Future Research Needs

Although evolution has been often seen as a gradual process through Darwinian lens, far more rapid evolutionary change observed in recent times. Recent examples documenting the potential speed of invasive plant have included: latitudinal flowering clines, life history shifts, or abrupt changes morphology. The timescales for such observations range from centuries down to <5 years. Invasive weeds provide good models changes, partly because exhibit unique mechanisms integral their success. For example, purging genetic load may enable plants adapt rapidly. Other include plasticity an evolved trait, hybridization, polyploidy, epigenetics, and clonal division labor. It is well-demonstrated that anthropogenic stressors habitat disturbance herbicide use work synergistically with climate fostering weed evolution. Changing temperatures, moisture regimes extreme events operate universally, but species are generally better equipped than native adapt. Research on this critical developing proactive management approaches anticipate new ecotypes adapted changing climatic conditions.