FG Möst

Our research focuses on eco-evolutionary dynamics — reciprocal interactions of evolutionary and ecological processes on contemporary timescales. This framework helps us to understand how populations, communities and ecosystems respond to human-driven environmental changes. Human activities can alter reproductive barriers leading to secondary contact, hybridization and admixture and thus rapid and substantial evolutionary change. This may again cause ecological change and set the stage for eco-evolutionary dynamics.

Our focal study systems are peri-Alpine lakes and a complex of ecologically differentiated water flea (Daphnia) species. To address our research questions, we combine field survey and sedimentological work, evolutionary genomics, phenotyping and simulations as well as lab and mesocosm experiments.