Q&A: How repeating decades-old experiments can help us understand how organisms change over time
Our take
In a recent conversation with Lauren Buckley, a professor of biology at the University of Washington, the concept of "functional resurvey" experiments emerged as a critical tool for understanding how organisms adapt and evolve over time. This approach not only sheds light on the biological changes within species but also serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of our ecosystems. As we navigate various environmental challenges today, such research holds profound implications for conservation efforts and our understanding of biodiversity. This urgency resonates with other ongoing discussions in academia, such as the recent court ruling on Texas State’s treatment of a professor and the challenges faced by students and alumni at Kentucky State University regarding new legislation (Kentucky State University Students, Alumni Sue to Block New State Law). Both instances highlight the importance of academic freedom and the role of research in shaping society.
In Buckley’s work, the functional resurvey method involves revisiting decades-old experiments to see how organisms have changed over time, revealing patterns of adaptation in response to environmental pressures. This method allows researchers to gather invaluable data that can inform conservation strategies, especially as we confront climate change and habitat loss. Understanding the dynamics of how species adapt—or fail to adapt—provides a vital framework for not just preserving biodiversity but also ensuring the resilience of ecosystems that support human life. As Buckley notes, these experiments are more than just academic exercises; they can lead to actionable insights in conservation practices and policy-making.
The implications of this research extend beyond the scientific community; they touch on broader societal values such as responsibility and stewardship. As students and future leaders, we must engage with this knowledge and consider our role in fostering a sustainable future. It’s a call to action for all of us, especially as we navigate an era defined by rapid change and uncertainty. The ability to apply lessons learned from past experiments to current challenges speaks to a greater narrative of growth and adaptation—not only in nature but in our own lives as well.
As we reflect on the findings from Buckley’s research, it raises essential questions about how we, as individuals and as a community, can contribute to ongoing efforts in conservation and environmental stewardship. Are we prepared to take actionable steps based on the knowledge we gain? How can we leverage our unique positions, whether as students, researchers, or community members, to advocate for sustainable practices? The answers to these questions might not only shape our academic journeys but could also have lasting impacts on the world around us.
In closing, the work being done by Buckley and her colleagues serves as a crucial reminder that while we may often feel disconnected from the natural world, our actions have real consequences. As we move forward, it’s essential to stay engaged with research that resonates on both a scientific and personal level. The need for informed stewardship has never been more pressing, and it’s up to us to ensure that future generations inherit a world that is not only surviving but thriving.
Researchers are trying to understand how changes in the environment lead to changes in organisms. For example, how do warmer spring and summer days affect how well the caterpillar of a common Washington butterfly grows? One way to answer this type of question is by repeating an old experiment years later to see how results have changed over time.
Lauren Buckley, University of Washington professor of biology, recently had the opportunity to organize a special issue of The American Naturalist featuring papers that use these types of “functional resurvey” experiments to answer questions about a variety of organisms, from bacteria to plants and animals. For example, one study explores resurrecting flower seeds to reveal evolutionary responses to drought. Another compares the genetics of coral reef fish preserved in rum in 1908 to these same fish now to examine how populations changed over the past century.
UW News spoke with Buckley about these experiments and what they can tell us about how organisms change over time.
What are the benefits of repeating historical experiments?
Lauren Buckley: As environments shift, species are migrating, changing in abundance and interacting with new species in response. But we lack effective strategies to anticipate these changes and plan for impacts to agriculture, disease and biodiversity. Repeating historical experiments reveals the processes underlying biological responses and should allow us to improve our ability to predict what will happen in the future.
Are there any drawbacks involved in these experiments?
LB: Replicating methods based on the descriptions in published papers can be difficult. We also face challenges, such as working with poorly preserved data or specimens, or trying to control for other changes that have happened over time — for example, Seattle is drastically different than it was 25 years ago. Knowing the best time to repeat an experiment is also a challenge, but wait times can be surprisingly short for organisms with short life cycles, such as bacteria.
Our current work is uncovering evolutionary changes in Washington butterflies after 25 years. This research is made easier because we are collaborating with the original researcher, who is 25 years older than me. We joke that the undergraduate researchers, who are 25 years younger than me, are expected to repeat the study again in 25 years.
How common is this technique?
LB: When I was looking for examples of functional resurvey experiments to include in the special issue, I was surprised to find that not many people use the approach. Many of the experimental approaches that we think hold the most promise for repeating are now decades old — perfect timing to be repeated. Also, the accelerating environmental change over recent decades has rapidly expanded opportunities for more of these types of experiments. I hope more scientists will be inspired to use this technique.
Functional resurvey experiments can be great fun! It’s exciting to plot new data against past experimental results and, despite our best efforts at improving predictions, we are often surprised by the biological changes. We get to see evolution happening, but not necessarily in the way we expect.
For more information, contact Buckley at buckley@uw.edu.
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