A framework to assess evolutionary responses to anthropogenic light and sound

John P. Swaddle, Clinton D. Francis, Jesse R. Barber, Caren B. Cooper, Christopher C.M. Kyba, Davide M. Dominoni, Graeme Shannon, Erik Aschehoug, Sarah E. Goodwin, Akito Y. Kawahara, David Luther, Kamiel Spoelstra, Margaret Voss, Travis Longcore

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

240 Scopus citations

Abstract

Human activities have caused a near-ubiquitous and evolutionarily-unprecedented increase in environmental sound levels and artificial night lighting. These stimuli reorganize communities by interfering with species-specific perception of time-cues, habitat features, and auditory and visual signals. Rapid evolutionary changes could occur in response to light and noise, given their magnitude, geographical extent, and degree to which they represent unprecedented environmental conditions. We present a framework for investigating anthropogenic light and noise as agents of selection, and as drivers of other evolutionary processes, to influence a range of behavioral and physiological traits such as phenological characters and sensory and signaling systems. In this context, opportunities abound for understanding contemporary and rapid evolution in response to human-caused environmental change.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)550-560
Number of pages11
JournalTrends in Ecology and Evolution
Volume30
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Anthropogenic noise
  • Circadian rhythms
  • Light at night
  • Masking
  • Phenology
  • Signaling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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