Christina L. Richards

TL;DR: A toolbox with definitions of key theoretical elements and a synthesis of the current understanding of the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying plasticity relevant to climate change is provided to provide clear directives for future research and stimulate cross-disciplinary dialogue on the relevance of phenotypic plasticity under climate change.

TL;DR: What is required to assess phenotypic plasticity at different levels is described and a new framework can be applied when testing both ecological or evolutionary oriented hypotheses, and therefore promises to bridge the gap between the two perspectives.

TL;DR: Ecologists should start using a combination of experimental approaches borrowed from ecological genetics, novel techniques to analyse and manipulate epigenetic variation, and genomic tools, to investigate the extent and structure of epigenetics variation within and among natural populations, as well as the interrelations between epigenetic variations, phenotypic variation and ecological interactions.

TL;DR: Because plants show a high degree of plasticity in response to neighbors, and even to the specific identify of neighbors, phenotypic plasticity may allow species to adjust to the composition of their communities, promoting coexistence and community diversity.

TL;DR: It is essential to link trait-based responses of invaders to changes in community and ecosystem properties, and this work suggests a functional trait framework for assessing per capita effects and, ultimately, impacts of invasive plants on plant communities and ecosystems.