Adaptation to Climate Change Research Project
Genomic basis of adaptation to climate change
It is becoming clear that some species have little or no capacity to adapt to climate change while others have substantial capacity to adapt, either by ‘plastic’ physiological responses or by genetic change.
The CSIRO, University of Melbourne and Monash University are collaborating on a project which aims to identify the genetic characteristics of species with various capacities to adapt to climate change, test the generality of these signatures across multiple groups and environments, and build this knowledge into predictive models of biodiversity response to climate change. Using conservation genetics, this strategic research will assist policy makers and planners predict species winners and losers under climate change; identify proactive management strategies to preserve diversity across multi-species groups and landscapes; and assist with the management of key species which are current or potential pests, disease vectors and/or invasives.
Insects will be the focus of much of the experimental work as they are experimentally tractable, highly diverse, and widely used as indicators of environmental health and biodiversity.
For further information please contact:
Dr John Oakeshott, CSIRO, john.oakeshott@csiro.au
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