Data and code from: Competition enables rapid adaptation to a warming range edge in a model plant community

Most predictions of whether populations will adapt to warming range edges
ignore species interactions. We tested experimentally if range-edge
populations can adapt to warming within a competitive, model plant
community (Lemna spp. and Spirodela polyrhiza duckweeds). Notably, we
found that adaptation to warming range edges was possible only when
populations evolved with interspecific competitors. Moreover, competitors
enabled the evolution of both high-temperature tolerance and increased
thermal performance breadth at the range edge, but not at the cooler range
core. Our results reveal that competitors accelerate thermal adaptation
when there is a shared evolutionary response to both competition and
warming. Overall, we highlight the urgency of including community context
in predicting future range shifts, showing that antagonistic interactions
do not necessarily hinder adaptation to climate deterioration.