A study by the University of Liverpool finds that the genetic diversity of wild plant species could be altered rapidly by anthropogenic climate change.
Scientists studied the genetic responses of different wild plant species, located in a natural grassland ecosystem, to a variety of simulated climate change treatments — including drought, watering, and warming — over a 15-year period.
Analysis of DNA markers in the plants revealed that the climate change treatments had altered the genetic composition of the plant populations. The results also indicated a process of evolutionary change in one of the study species, suggesting that genetic diversity may be able to buffer plants against the harmful effects of climate change, allowing an “evolutionary rescue.”
More information is available here: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-08/uol-ssp082615.php
