Behavioural ecology in the twenty-first century

Journal article : Review

Behavioural ecology research has explained traits from foraging and cooperation to mating strategies and sex allocation. However, the size and interdisciplinary nature of this research can obscure the broader contributions that behavioural ecology has made and the major tasks for the future. We first assess the contributions of behavioural ecology to fundamental science, for both understanding nature and the scientific method. Second, we explore the application of behavioural ecology research to global challenges, from pests and pathogens to conservation and mitigating human impact. In all cases, progress has relied on a hypothesis-driven approach that combines mathematical modelling with empirical testing and the strategic choice of simplifying assumptions.

Authors: West, SA; Dall, SRX; Cunningham, JP; Alonzo, SH; Griffin, AS

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer Nature
• Journal: Nature Ecology and Evolution
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 2193-2205
• Publication date: 2025-11-25
• Acceptance date: 2025-10-28
• DOI: 10.1038/s41559-025-02912-3
• EISSN: 2397-334X
• Pmid: 41291260
• Language: English
• Keywords: ecology; evolution
• Subtype: Review