Abstract
An important accomplishment of evolutionary genetics and evolutionary ecology during the past 50 years has been the demonstration of genetic variation for many traits in most natural populations, and the rapid response to selection on many such traits. Still, many questions at the interface between evolution and ecology remain. Drawing in part on research with herbivorous insects, I will illustrate the challenges to contemporary evolutionary ecology by considering several unsolved questions. What explains speciation? Why are species ecologically specialized? What explains phylogenetic niche conservatism, and the phenomenon of stasis in the fossil record? I will suggest that evolutionary biology may be shifting toward a new emphasis on genetic limitations and constraints on adaptability. This is a profoundly important perspective as human activity changes Earth’s environments at an increasing rate.
Official Opening of the CoE - Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES) – Oct 5, 2007: 13:15-15:30
Aud 3 in Kristine Bonnevies Hus, University of Oslo, Blindern.
The main speaker will be Douglas J. Futuyma (Distinguished Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolution, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY, USA) who will lecture on "Some Problems in Evolutionary Ecology, and Why They Matter" (see abstract).
Arvid Hallen (Norwegian Research Council) will also give a short introduction to the Centre-of-Excellence program in Norway.
There will be refreshments immediately after the opening event.
All are most welcome, Nils Chr. Stenseth (Chair of CEES) and Trond Schumacher (Chair of Dept of Biology)