Human activities have altered natural environments and, indeed, created entirely novel ecosystems such as cities and high-input farms. This course considers how these human alterations to the environment affect the evolution and co-evolution of diverse organisms. Starting with an overview of basic ecological and evolutionary principles, we will consider a number of compelling contemporary scenarios: evolutionary response to environmental contaminants, exploitation of natural populations, and global climate change; evolution in urban and agricultural ecosystems; and the evolutionary impact of alien, invasive, and genetically modified species. |