Parallel evolution and eco-evolutionary dynamics in city ponds – from evolution to nature-based solutions in coupled human-natural systems

There has been an upsurge in studies on adaptive evolution in cities over the past five years because of its high relevance in the context of  population resilience and persistence, and the need to improve biodiversity conservation across anthropogenic landscapes. This proposal builds on the exceptionally well-documented multi-trait urban evolution in water fleas (Daphnia) in Flanders. I aim to address a number of key knowledge gaps in the field of urban evolution and urban eco-evolutionary dynamics using Daphnia and urban ponds as model systems. More specifically, I will  (i) elucidate the genomic underpinning of urban evolution and in this way complement the study of phenotypic trait evolution by information on genes, pathways and islands of divergence, (ii) test for parallel urban evolution across larger geographic scales (several European cities), (iii) test for effects of urbanization-induced evolution on resilience during anthropogenic disturbance, and (iv) contribute to the development of the field of socio-eco-evolutionary dynamics by  testing for societal drivers (e.g. wealth) of urban evolution and by quantifying potential ecosystem services that originate from urban evolution.