eco-evolutionary dynamics

Eco-evolutionary dynamics refer to the ongoing interactions between ecological processes (like population changes and species interactions) and evolutionary changes (such as adaptations and genetic shifts). These processes influence each other in real time, meaning that how species evolve can affect their environment and community, and vice versa. For example, a predator evolving better hunting skills may reduce prey populations, which then influences the prey's evolution. This continuous feedback loop shapes the structure of ecosystems and the traits of the species within them, emphasizing that ecology and evolution are deeply interconnected and happen simultaneously.