RESurreCting the past to Understand the future: Evolutionary dynamics of CLIFF-dwelling Species in response to global change

Global change poses unprecedented challenges for conservation managers, making it increasingly difficult to prevent species loss. This is especially true in fragile ecosystems such as cliffs, which are both unique and vulnerable, and host more endemic and threatened species than most other systems. Spain, in particular, ranks as the third country worldwide with the highest number of endangered cliff species, increasing the pressure on Spanish conservation managers, especially given the rising impacts of climate change and recreational climbing. Yet, the evolutionary responses of cliff species to these global-change threats remain poorly understood, underscoring the urgent need for research that uncovers evolutionary dynamics and develops effective restoration strategies in these vulnerable ecosystems. The RESCUE-CLIFFS project combines evolutionary experiments with in situ translocations to investigate the genetic basis of adaptive traits, and evolutionary potential of cliff-dwelling plant species. The study focuses on cliff specialists such as species of the genus Petrocoptis, an endemic group under protection according to the IUCN. Controlled common-garden experiments simulating varying temperature, water availability, and pollination conditions are implemented. The combination of these climate-change drivers will be key to understanding future plant population responses, while transgenerational effects mediated by plant-associated microbes will help uncover their evolutionary role and potential for restoration. Complementarily, in situ translocations will be conducted at the species’ original sites to enhance the ecological validity of the study, assess evolutionary processes under real conditions, and test restoration success, with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) being employed to map spatial features, monitor population responses and traslocations success over time. This dual approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of evolutionary dynamics of cliff-dwelling plants, developing a robust restoration framework to improve conservation strategies, and ultimately safeguard exceptional biodiversity.