Genes to Ecosystems

Discovering connections between genetics, species and ecosystem processes remains one of the major frontiers in the biological and ecological sciences. Genes-to-ecosystems approaches are especially powerful in that they connect fundamental units of biological information (genes) to the broadest level of biological organization (ecosystems). These approaches are also inherently interdisciplinary, requiring communication between geneticists, evolutionary biologists, and community and ecosystem ecologists.

In this upper-division program, we will explore the linkages between genes, genomes, organ systems, individuals, populations, species, communities and ecosystems. We will address questions such as: Can genes affect ecosystems? What is a species? How much and what type of genetic change is required to create a new species? Can ecosystems evolve? What evolutionary mechanisms could allow for linkages across broad chasms of biological organization? What major transformations have produced the forms that we see in modern animals and plants? We will focus on fundamental concepts associated with Mendelian and molecular genetics, macroevolution, plant ecology, and ecosystem ecology. Students should expect to specialize in the fields of genetics, and animal or plant evolution and ecology.