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Understanding the effect of the environment on trait variation is critical for ecologically and economically important plants. Here, we asked whether differences in soil moisture are a source of variation in Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii). We subjected common garden populations of plants derived from native, invasive, and landrace sources (ranges) to varying water addition treatments. Using principal component analysis, we generated composite variables of life history traits for ANCOVA tests and plotted norms of reaction. Planting time was included as a covariate because we observed differences in seedling emergence despite efforts to standardize germination. We also examined the population coefficient of variation of individual traits (plasticity) and the association of trait CVs with fitness. The amount of plasticity varied but was inconsistent among range sources for all composite traits. Planting time did not affect treatments, but plants from different ranges responded differently to variable planting times. With a surplus of water, plants derived from native and invasive populations plateaued in vegetative trait values but showed a continuous linear increase in reproductive trait values. Possibly as a result of domestication, moderate and high water treatments in landrace plants caused plateaus in composite trait values for flowering phenology, seed count, plant size, and branching. The ecological breadth shown by our plants is likely due to drought tolerance that evolved in Brassica tournefortii source populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africa is considered the "mother continent" from which the first hominins arose. The diversified wildlife and flora of Africa, which ranges from those in the scorching Sahara and Kalahari deserts to those in the vast Savannas and wet tropical forests, are also the most diverse of any continent. Although the continent's abundance and diversity of living resources have provided critical means of subsistence for its inhabitants, future utilization of this biodiversity will demand a fundamental understanding of genetic variation and its adaptive capabilities in the face of natural and man‐made stressors. Molecular ecological insights have previously been gained from a variety of vertebrate species native to Africa, and some of these discoveries have larger evolutionary and conservation implications. Despite lagging in genomics research, African scientists are increasingly eager to use the increasingly accessible ‐omics technology to routinely sequence more animals and plants native to Africa. This overview, which focuses on Africa's vertebrate biodiversity, aims to provide a continental scale perspective on organismal and ecological adaptations discovered through prior genomics research, as well as what conceptually these findings suggest for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilience, adaptation and mitigation are unique but complimentary actions in the fight against climate change (CC), particularly in developing countries. Although evidence suggest the inclusion of stakeholder opinions as part of the frameworks for combating CC, this evidence is not well substantiated, and is not extensively described in sub-Sahara African CC literature. While language remains a big issue in CC discussions, processes comprised within climate actions are equally as important as both the language and the results. It is on the basis of the confusion surrounding the language adopted as actions geared towards combating CC that this study seeks to examine the opinions/perception of CC actors in three West African nations. It looks at perceived and/or suitable solutions to selected CC-imposed challenges in the midst of socio-economic and environmental concerns. A total of 475 individuals, representing NGOs, public and private organizations involved with CC issues, as well as private persons concerned about CC, were recruited across Nigeria, Niger, and Benin, over a two-year period (April 2017–April 2019). A questionnaire containing 15 items was administered. The results of data analysis using chi-square and Fischer's exact tests show that the mean number of CC actors differs within and across all three countries for all climate action types against CC-imposed challenges. While CC adaptive plans and projects are thought to yield immediate results, they are also observed to be cheaper in comparison to mitigation and resilience projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilience, adaptation and mitigation are unique but complimentary actions in the fight against climate change (CC), particularly in developing countries. Although evidence suggest the inclusion of stakeholder opinions as part of the frameworks for combating CC, this evidence is not well substantiated, and is not extensively described in sub-Sahara African CC literature. While language remains a big issue in CC discussions, processes comprised within climate actions are equally as important as both the language and the results. It is on the basis of the confusion surrounding the language adopted as actions geared towards combating CC that this study seeks to examine the opinions/perception of CC actors in three West African nations. It looks at perceived and/or suitable solutions to selected CC-imposed challenges in the midst of socio-economic and environmental concerns. A total of 475 individuals, representing NGOs, public and private organizations involved with CC issues, as well as private persons concerned about CC, were recruited across Nigeria, Niger, and Benin, over a two-year period (April 2017–April 2019). A questionnaire containing 15 items was administered. The results of data analysis using chi-square and Fischer's exact tests show that the mean number of CC actors differs within and across all three countries for all climate action types against CC-imposed challenges. While CC adaptive plans and projects are thought to yield immediate results, they are also observed to be cheaper in comparison to mitigation and resilience projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]