Paul Acker
Om
I am an evolutionary ecologist interested in how biodiversity responds to environmental change and perturbations. My research aims to understand and predict how natural selection, phenotypic plasticity, and heritable genetic variation interact to shape adaptive evolution, individual life histories, and the persistence of wild populations.
To investigate these eco-evolutionary dynamics, I combine original empirical studies with the development of conceptual frameworks. My work focuses on key traits that influence fitness and population growth in spatio-temporally varying environments, including seasonal migration, survival, reproduction, and dispersal. I devise advanced statistical approaches that integrate capture-recapture with quantitative genetics, enabling robust inference from long-term individual-based monitoring data collected in wild populations.
Recent news / current and upcoming activities:
• I'm giving a talk at ESEB 2025 (Aug. 17-22, Barcelona / Symposium 42) on my recent analyses of environment-specific evolvability of survival in adult European shags, revealing how adaptive evolution is altered in the face of extreme climatic events.
• In the same symposium, Rita Fortuna will present further research I contributed to, showing how rapid evolution of early-life migration in shags is constrained by the temporal dynamics of selection, heritable genetic variation, and plasticity.
• And in Symposium 51, Lisa Sandmeyer will present her work co-supervised by me where she quantified survival selection on plumage colour in blue tits by modelling labile trait expression.
Kompetanseord
Forskning
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Empirical study of contemporary responses to environmental changes in wild populations
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Methods for quantifying eco-evolutionary processes from long-term individual monitoring data
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Conceptualising the non-linear genotype-environment-phenotype maps of life history traits
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Ecological and evolutionary theory of population dynamics in spatio-temporally varying environments
Projects I am/have been part of:
EcoEvoMove
I am currently working for the project 'Spatio-Seasonal Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics' funded by an ERC advanced grant to Prof. Jane Reid.
Early-life eco-evolutionary dynamics of variable seasonal migration
In 2021-2024, I was co-I on this NFR-funded project managed by Prof. Jane Reid.
Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics
In 2020-2024, I was a postdoc at the SFF Centre of Excellence CBD, directed by Prof. Bernt-Erik Sæther.
Publikasjoner
2024
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Ugland, Cassandra Regine;
Acker, Paul;
Burthe, Sarah J.;
Fernandes Goncalves Fortuna, Rita Alexandra;
Gunn, Carrie;
Haaland, Thomas Ray.
(2024)
Early-life variation in migration is subject to strong fluctuating survival selection in a partially migratory bird.
Journal of Animal Ecology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
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Fernandes Goncalves Fortuna, Rita Alexandra;
Acker, Paul;
Ugland, Cassandra Regine;
Burthe, Sarah J.;
Harris, Michael P.;
Newell, Mark A..
(2024)
Season-specific genetic variation underlies early-life migration in a partially migratory bird.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences
Vitenskapelig artikkel
2023
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Acker, Paul;
Daunt, Francis;
Wanless, Sarah;
Burthe, Sarah J.;
Newell, Mark A.;
Harris, Michael P..
(2023)
Additive genetic and environmental variation interact to shape the dynamics of seasonal migration in a wild bird population.
Evolution
Vitenskapelig artikkel
2022
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Acker, Paul;
Daunt, Francis;
Wanless, Sarah;
Burthe, Sarah J.;
Newell, Mark A.;
Harris, Michael P..
(2022)
Hierarchical variation in phenotypic flexibility across timescales and associated survival selection shape the dynamics of partial seasonal migration.
The American Naturalist
Vitenskapelig artikkel
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Vaagland, Henriette;
Pedersen, Lisbeth;
Ghalambor, Dionna;
Maaseide, Birte Margrete Torp;
Rønning, Bernt;
Brandtzæg, Nils Einar.
(2022)
Skattejakt i naturen.
Forskningstorget
Annen presentasjon
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Fay, Rémi;
Hamel, Sandra;
Van de Pol, Martijn;
Gaillard, Jean Michel;
Yoccoz, Nigel;
Acker, Paul.
(2022)
Temporal correlations among demographic parameters are ubiquitous but highly variable across species.
Ecology Letters
Vitenskapelig artikkel
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Acker, Paul;
Schaub, Michael;
Besnard, Aurélien;
Monnat, Jean-Yves;
Cam, Emmanuelle.
(2022)
Can attraction to and competition for high-quality habitats shape breeding propensity?.
Journal of Animal Ecology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
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Reid, Jane Margaret;
Acker, Paul.
(2022)
Properties of phenotypic plasticity in discrete threshold traits.
Evolution
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Reid, Jane Margaret;
Acker, Paul.
(2022)
Conceptualizing the evolutionary quantitative genetics of phenological life-history events: Breeding time as a plastic threshold trait.
Evolution Letters
Vitenskapelig artikkel
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Payo-Payo, Ana;
Acker, Paul;
Bocedi, Greta;
Travis, Justin M. J.;
Burthe, Sarah J.;
Harris, Michael P..
(2022)
Modelling the responses of partially migratory metapopulations to changing seasonal migration rates: From theory to data.
Journal of Animal Ecology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
2021
-
Acker, Paul;
Burthe, Sarah J;
Newell, Mark A;
Grist, Hannah;
Gunn, Carrie;
Harris, Michael P..
(2021)
Episodes of opposing survival and reproductive selection cause strong fluctuating selection on seasonal migration versus residence.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences
Vitenskapelig artikkel
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Fay, Rémi;
Authier, Matthieu;
Hamel, Sandra;
Jenouvrier, Stéphanie;
van de Pol, Martijn;
Cam, Emmanuelle.
(2021)
Quantifying fixed individual heterogeneity in demographic parameters: Performance of correlated random effects for Bernoulli variables.
Methods in Ecology and Evolution
Vitenskapelig artikkel
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Acker, Paul;
Daunt, Francis;
Wanless, Sarah;
Burthe, Sarah J;
Newell, Mark A;
Harris, Michael P.
(2021)
Strong survival selection on seasonal migration versus residence induced by extreme climatic events.
Journal of Animal Ecology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
2020
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Reid, Jane Margaret;
Souter, Moray;
Fenn, Sarah R.;
Acker, Paul;
Payo-Payo, Ana;
Burthe, Sarah J..
(2020)
Among-individual and within-individual variation in seasonal migration covaries with subsequent reproductive success in a partially-migratory bird.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences
Vitenskapelig artikkel
2018
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Acker, Paul;
Francesiaz, Charlotte;
Bechet, Arnaud;
Sadoul, Nicolas;
Lessells, Catherine M.;
Pijl, Agata S..
(2018)
Insights on dispersal and recruitment paradigms: sex-and age-dependent variations in a nomadic breeder.
Oecologia
Vitenskapelig artikkel
2017
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Acker, Paul;
Besnard, Aurélien;
Monnat, Jean-Yves;
Cam, Emmanuelle.
(2017)
Breeding habitat selection across spatial scales: is grass always greener on the other side?.
Ecology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
2015
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Acker, Paul;
Grégoire, Arnaud;
Rat, Margaux;
Spottiswoode, Claire N.;
van Dijk, René E.;
Paquet, Mathieu.
(2015)
Disruptive viability selection on a black plumage trait associated with dominance.
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
2014
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Acker, Paul;
Robert, Alexandre;
Bourget, Romain;
Colas, Bruno.
(2014)
Heterogeneity of reproductive age increases the viability of semelparous populations.
Functional Ecology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
Tidsskriftspublikasjoner
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Ugland, Cassandra Regine;
Acker, Paul;
Burthe, Sarah J.;
Fernandes Goncalves Fortuna, Rita Alexandra;
Gunn, Carrie;
Haaland, Thomas Ray.
(2024)
Early-life variation in migration is subject to strong fluctuating survival selection in a partially migratory bird.
Journal of Animal Ecology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Fernandes Goncalves Fortuna, Rita Alexandra;
Acker, Paul;
Ugland, Cassandra Regine;
Burthe, Sarah J.;
Harris, Michael P.;
Newell, Mark A..
(2024)
Season-specific genetic variation underlies early-life migration in a partially migratory bird.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Acker, Paul;
Daunt, Francis;
Wanless, Sarah;
Burthe, Sarah J.;
Newell, Mark A.;
Harris, Michael P..
(2023)
Additive genetic and environmental variation interact to shape the dynamics of seasonal migration in a wild bird population.
Evolution
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Acker, Paul;
Daunt, Francis;
Wanless, Sarah;
Burthe, Sarah J.;
Newell, Mark A.;
Harris, Michael P..
(2022)
Hierarchical variation in phenotypic flexibility across timescales and associated survival selection shape the dynamics of partial seasonal migration.
The American Naturalist
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Fay, Rémi;
Hamel, Sandra;
Van de Pol, Martijn;
Gaillard, Jean Michel;
Yoccoz, Nigel;
Acker, Paul.
(2022)
Temporal correlations among demographic parameters are ubiquitous but highly variable across species.
Ecology Letters
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Acker, Paul;
Schaub, Michael;
Besnard, Aurélien;
Monnat, Jean-Yves;
Cam, Emmanuelle.
(2022)
Can attraction to and competition for high-quality habitats shape breeding propensity?.
Journal of Animal Ecology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Reid, Jane Margaret;
Acker, Paul.
(2022)
Properties of phenotypic plasticity in discrete threshold traits.
Evolution
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Reid, Jane Margaret;
Acker, Paul.
(2022)
Conceptualizing the evolutionary quantitative genetics of phenological life-history events: Breeding time as a plastic threshold trait.
Evolution Letters
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Payo-Payo, Ana;
Acker, Paul;
Bocedi, Greta;
Travis, Justin M. J.;
Burthe, Sarah J.;
Harris, Michael P..
(2022)
Modelling the responses of partially migratory metapopulations to changing seasonal migration rates: From theory to data.
Journal of Animal Ecology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Acker, Paul;
Burthe, Sarah J;
Newell, Mark A;
Grist, Hannah;
Gunn, Carrie;
Harris, Michael P..
(2021)
Episodes of opposing survival and reproductive selection cause strong fluctuating selection on seasonal migration versus residence.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Fay, Rémi;
Authier, Matthieu;
Hamel, Sandra;
Jenouvrier, Stéphanie;
van de Pol, Martijn;
Cam, Emmanuelle.
(2021)
Quantifying fixed individual heterogeneity in demographic parameters: Performance of correlated random effects for Bernoulli variables.
Methods in Ecology and Evolution
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Acker, Paul;
Daunt, Francis;
Wanless, Sarah;
Burthe, Sarah J;
Newell, Mark A;
Harris, Michael P.
(2021)
Strong survival selection on seasonal migration versus residence induced by extreme climatic events.
Journal of Animal Ecology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Reid, Jane Margaret;
Souter, Moray;
Fenn, Sarah R.;
Acker, Paul;
Payo-Payo, Ana;
Burthe, Sarah J..
(2020)
Among-individual and within-individual variation in seasonal migration covaries with subsequent reproductive success in a partially-migratory bird.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Acker, Paul;
Francesiaz, Charlotte;
Bechet, Arnaud;
Sadoul, Nicolas;
Lessells, Catherine M.;
Pijl, Agata S..
(2018)
Insights on dispersal and recruitment paradigms: sex-and age-dependent variations in a nomadic breeder.
Oecologia
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Acker, Paul;
Besnard, Aurélien;
Monnat, Jean-Yves;
Cam, Emmanuelle.
(2017)
Breeding habitat selection across spatial scales: is grass always greener on the other side?.
Ecology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Acker, Paul;
Grégoire, Arnaud;
Rat, Margaux;
Spottiswoode, Claire N.;
van Dijk, René E.;
Paquet, Mathieu.
(2015)
Disruptive viability selection on a black plumage trait associated with dominance.
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
-
Acker, Paul;
Robert, Alexandre;
Bourget, Romain;
Colas, Bruno.
(2014)
Heterogeneity of reproductive age increases the viability of semelparous populations.
Functional Ecology
Vitenskapelig artikkel
UTSTILLING
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Vaagland, Henriette;
Pedersen, Lisbeth;
Ghalambor, Dionna;
Maaseide, Birte Margrete Torp;
Rønning, Bernt;
Brandtzæg, Nils Einar.
(2022)
Skattejakt i naturen.
Forskningstorget
Annen presentasjon
Undervisning
This year (2025), I am teaching in a PhD course on quantifying quantitative genetic parameters in wild populations using animal models in STAN at NTNU (under the umbrella of the course BI8091 'Advanced Biology').
In 2024, I led a full PhD course on quantifying natural selection in wild populations using Bayesian capture-recapture models at NTNU (under the umbrella of the course BI8091 'Advanced Biology').
In 2023/24, I taught for several sessions on the role of plasticity in adaptive evolution in the PhD course 'Advanced Evolutionary Biology' (BI8083) at NTNU.
In 2018/19 and 2019/20, I gave a lecture on capture-recapture methodologies in the Population Ecology MSc course at the University of Aberdeen (UK).
Veiledning
Current students:
- Victorine George (2023-2026) – PhD candidate at the University of Western Britanny. I am co-supervising her PhD (with Emmanuelle Cam and Jane Reid) on migration and reporudction phenology of kittiwakes in the context of climate change. I am co-hosting multiple secondments of Victorine at NTNU, for which she was awarded mobility grants from UBO and ISBLUE.
- Cassandra Ugland (2022-2025) – PhD candidate at NTNU. I am co-supervising her PhD (with Jane Reid and Francis Daunt) on the evolutionary ecology of juvenile sesonal movement in a partially migratory population of European shags.
- Lisa Sandmeyer (2024-2025) – PhD candidate at the University of Montpellier. I am co-supervising one chapter of her PhD (with Claire Doutrelant and Yimen Araya-Ajoy), about survival selection on colour plumage traits in blue tits. I hosted two secondments of Lisa at NTNU for which she was granted the SQUID Student Fellowship and the ESEB Hewitt Mobility Award.
Past students:
- Chantelle Cove (2019) – MSc student, University of Aberdeen. Demography and viability of a seabird colony under climate change. Co-supervised with Ana Payo-Payo and Jane Reid.
- Alexis Corbara (2017) – Master student, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon. Survival selection on colour traits in blue tits. Co-supervised with Claire Doutrelant and Arnaud Grégoire.
- Lucie Aulus (2016) – Master student ('Césure Agro'), Montpellier SupAgro. Individuals-based modelling of colonial bird metapopulations. Co-supervised with Aurélien Besnard and Charlotte Francesiaz.
- Tangi Le Bot (2015) – Master student, AgroCampus Ouest Rennes. Prospection behaviour in a metapopulation of kittiwakes. Co-supervised with Emmanuelle Cam.
Formidling
2025
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Vitenskapelig foredragGeorge, Victorine; Cam, Emmanuelle; Reid, Jane Margaret; Acker, Paul. (2025) New approaches to quantifying phenological plasticity reveal underlying individual variation in a threatened seabird. Oikos Norway 2025 2025-04-09 - 2025-04-12
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PosterUgland, Cassandra Regine; Acker, Paul; Burthe, Sarah J.; Fernandes Goncalves Fortuna, Rita Alexandra; Gunn, Carrie; Harris, Michael P.. (2025) Early-life variation in plasticity and selection drives within and among-cohort variation in partial seasonal migration. Oikos Norway 2025 2025-04-09 - 2025-04-12
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Vitenskapelig foredragHaaland, Thomas Ray; Acker, Paul; Payo-Payo, Ana; Fernandes Goncalves Fortuna, Rita Alexandra; Vickers, Stephen; Ugland, Cassandra Regine. (2025) Plastic versus evolutionary responses to rapid environmental change in partially migratory metapopulations. Oikos Norway 2025 2025-04-09 - 2025-04-12
2024
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Vitenskapelig foredragAcker, Paul; Daunt, Francis; Burthe, Sarah J.; Wanless, Sarah; Reid, Jane Margaret. (2024) Evolutionary properties of phenotypic plasticity in discrete traits. Life is plastic: How phenotypic plasticity makes us rethink central problems in biology , Roscoff 2024-06-17 - 2024-06-21
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PosterBonamour, Suzanne; Acker, Paul; Fernandes Goncalves Fortuna, Rita Alexandra; Ugland, Cassandra Regine; Burthe, Sarah J.; Wanless, Sarah. (2024) Escape from upheavals: early-life phenotypic plasticity of seasonal migration versus residence in European shags. Life is plastic: How phenotypic plasticity makes us rethink central problems in biology , Roscoff 2024-06-17 - 2024-06-21
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Vitenskapelig foredragAcker, Paul; Daunt, Francis; Burthe, Sarah J.; Wanless, Sarah; Newell, Mark A.; Reid, Jane Margaret. (2024) How phenotypic plasticity interacts with evolution in discrete traits. 3rd Joint Congress on Evolutionary Biology , Montréal 2024-07-26 - 2024-07-30
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Vitenskapelig foredragFernandes Goncalves Fortuna, Rita Alexandra; Acker, Paul; Ugland, Cassandra Regine; Burthe, Sarah J.; Harris, Michael P.; Newell, Mark A.. (2024) Genetic variances and selection on plasticity in early-life seasonal migration vary among seasons and years in a partially migratory population. 3rd Joint Congress on Evolutionary Biology , Montréal 2024-07-26 - 2024-07-30
2023
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Vitenskapelig foredragHaaland, Thomas Ray; Payo-Payo, Ana; Acker, Paul; Fortuna, Rita; Burthe, Sarah J; Ratikainen, Irja Ida. (2023) Eco-evolutionary dynamics of partially migratory metapopulations. Norsk Økologisk Forening Oikos Norway 2023 , NMBU, Ås 2023-02-13 - 2023-02-15
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Vitenskapelig foredragHaaland, Thomas Ray; Payo-Payo, Ana; Acker, Paul; Fortuna, Rita; Burthe, Sarah J.; Ratikainen, Irja Ida. (2023) Eco-evolutionary dynamics of partially migratory metapopulations. British Ornithological Union BOU 2023 , Nottingham, UK 2023-04-04 - 2023-04-06
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Vitenskapelig foredragUgland, Cassandra Regine; Acker, Paul; Daunt, Francis; Fortuna, Rita; Burthe, Sarah J.; Wanless, Sarah. (2023) Early-life development and selection on partial migration in the European Shag. BOU Annual Conference: “Evolutionary responses” , Nottingham 2023-04-05 -
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Vitenskapelig foredragFortuna, Rita; Acker, Paul; Ugland, Cassandra Regine; Burthe, Sarah J.; Newell, Mark A.; Morley, Tim I.. (2023) Using a multistate capture-recapture animal model to estimate additive genetic variance in early-life seasonal movement. EURING Analytical Meeting 2023-04-17 -
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Vitenskapelig foredragAcker, Paul. (2023) Phenotypic plasticity of discrete traits. Annual Meeting of GDR PlastPhen , Montpellier 2023-11-24 -
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Vitenskapelig foredragFortuna, Rita; Acker, Paul; Ugland, Cassandra Regine; Burthe, Sarah J.; Newell, Mark A.; Morley, Tim I.. (2023) Additive genetic variance in early-life partial seasonal migration. BOU Annual Conference: “Evolutionary responses” , Nottingham 2023-04-05 -
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Vitenskapelig foredragAcker, Paul; Daunt, Francis; Burthe, Sarah J.; Wanless, Sarah; Harris, Michael P.; Newell, Mark A.. (2023) Capture-recapture animal model for quantitative genetic decomposition of variance in seasonal migration versus residence. EURING Analytical Meeting , Montpellier 2023-04-17 - 2023-04-21
2022
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Vitenskapelig foredragAcker, Paul; Daunt, Francis; Burthe, Sarah J.; Wanless, Sarah; Harris, Mike P.; Newell, Mark A.. (2022) Hierarchical plasticity, and selection on plasticity, shape the dynamics of seasonal movement. ESEB Congress , Prague 2022-08-15 - 2022-08-19
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Vitenskapelig foredragAcker, Paul; Daunt, Francis; Burthe, Sarah J; Reid, Jane Margaret. (2022) Quantifying individual variation, selection, and additive genetic variance in migration versus residence with full-annual-cycle capture-recapture models. International Statistical Ecology Conference 2022-06-27 - 2022-07-01
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PosterUgland, Cassandra Regine; Acker, Paul; Daunt, Francis; Fortuna, Rita; Burthe, Sarah; Wanless, Sarah. (2022) Strong natural selection on early life expression of seasonal migration vs. residence. British Ecological Society British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2022 , Edinburgh 2022-12-18 - 2022-12-21
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Vitenskapelig foredragReid, Jane Margaret; Acker, Paul; Daunt, Francis; Burthe, Sarah J.; Wanless, Sarah; Harris, Michael P.. (2022) Eco-evolutionary dynamics under spatio-seasonal environmental change. European Society for Evolutionary Biology Congress 2022-08-14 - 2022-08-19
2021
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Vitenskapelig foredragAcker, Paul; Daunt, Francis; Burthe, Sarah J.; Reid, Jane Margaret. (2021) Quantifying individual variation in migration versus residence within and among year: a dynamic-finite-mixture multi-state capture-recapture model. EURING Analytical Meeting , Québec 2021-05-31 -
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PosterLe Moullec, Mathilde; Acker, Paul; Grøtan, Vidar; Lee, Aline Magdalena; Herfindal, Ivar; O'Hara, Bob. (2021) How can we assess temporal changes in population synchrony?. British Ecological Society Annual Meeting of the British Ecological Society , Liverpool, UK 2021-12-12 - 2021-12-15
2020
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Vitenskapelig foredragAcker, Paul; Daunt, Francis; Wanless, Sarah; Burthe, Sarah J.; Harris, Mike P.; Payo-Payo, Ana. (2020) Characterising hidden individual heterogeneity & plasticity in life-histories: A mixture of tactics along the residence-migration continuum. . 7th Evolutionary Demography Society annual meeting , Røros 2020-10-07 -