Paul Acker
About
I study the contemporary response of populations to environmental variation and change. I aim to show how selection, plasticity, and additive genetic variation jointly shape phenotypic distributions, and hence the heterogeneity of individual life trajectories, and resulting population fates. To improve our understanding of eco-evolutionary dynamics, I couple the renewal of conceptual frameworks with original empirical investigations. I focus on critical traits underlying individual fitness and population growth in spatio-temporally varying environments, e.g. seasonal migration versus residence, breeding versus non-breeding, dispersal versus philopatry. I develop advanced demographic analyses combining capture-recapture and quantitative genetic tools for statistical inference from large-scale long-term individual-based monitoring data collected in the wild.
Competencies
Publications
2024
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
2023
-
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
Academic article
2022
-
Vaagland, Henriette;
Pedersen, Lisbeth;
Ghalambor, Dionna;
Maaseide, Birte Margrete Torp;
Rønning, Bernt;
Brandtzæg, Nils Einar.
(2022)
Skattejakt i naturen.
Forskningstorget
Other presentation
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
Reid, Jane Margaret;
Acker, Paul.
(2022)
Properties of phenotypic plasticity in discrete threshold traits.
Evolution
Academic article
2021
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
2020
-
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
Academic article
2018
-
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
Academic article
2017
-
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
Academic article
2015
-
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
Academic article
2014
-
Acker, Paul;
Robert, Alexandre;
Bourget, Romain;
Colas, Bruno.
(2014)
Heterogeneity of reproductive age increases the viability of semelparous populations.
Functional Ecology
Academic article
Journal publications
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
Reid, Jane Margaret;
Acker, Paul.
(2022)
Properties of phenotypic plasticity in discrete threshold traits.
Evolution
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
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
Academic article
-
Acker, Paul;
Robert, Alexandre;
Bourget, Romain;
Colas, Bruno.
(2014)
Heterogeneity of reproductive age increases the viability of semelparous populations.
Functional Ecology
Academic article
UTSTILLING
-
Vaagland, Henriette;
Pedersen, Lisbeth;
Ghalambor, Dionna;
Maaseide, Birte Margrete Torp;
Rønning, Bernt;
Brandtzæg, Nils Einar.
(2022)
Skattejakt i naturen.
Forskningstorget
Other presentation
Knowledge Transfer
2024
-
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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Academic lectureFernandes 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
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Academic lectureAcker, 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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Academic lectureAcker, 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
2023
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Academic lectureAcker, 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
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Academic lectureHaaland, 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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Academic lectureUgland, 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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Academic lectureFortuna, 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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Academic lectureFortuna, 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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Academic lectureAcker, Paul. (2023) Phenotypic plasticity of discrete traits. Annual Meeting of GDR PlastPhen , Montpellier 2023-11-24 -
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Academic lectureHaaland, 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
2022
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Academic lectureAcker, 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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Academic lectureAcker, 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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Academic lectureReid, 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
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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
2021
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Academic lectureAcker, 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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Academic lectureAcker, 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 -