Résumé
Globally, the geographical distributions of species are dynamic and
strongly influenced by dispersal. At the same time, range dynamics feed
back and may select for increased dispersal at expanding range fronts.
This interplay between macroecological and evolutionary dynamics happens
almost universally across environmental gradients and such gradients can
have a direct impact on the fitness of organisms due to the match or
mismatch between an individual's environmental optimum and the
current conditions along the gradient. Importantly, gradients also provide
individuals with information on environmental changes because dispersing
individuals may sense whether environmental conditions improve or
deteriorate. However, the ability of organisms to use this information on
the environment and to subsequently adjust dispersal decisions
plastically, that is, deciding to further disperse into the gradient or
not, has been largely ignored and the macroecological consequences remain
unclear. We here aim to demonstrate the impact of informed dispersal on
the eco-evolutionary dynamics of ranges.