We use the resurrection approach, that compares ancestors and descendants, to study rapid contemporary evolution to novel environments (i.e., changes in abiotic conditions, such as drought, but also climate-induced changes in biotic interactions, such as plant-herbivore interactions). By working with a spectrum of species and populations along their distribution range, we aim to identify the factors that promote or hamper their adaptive potential. For example, are species with fast life-history or ecological strategies more likely to adapt rapidly to climate change than species with slower strategies (i.e., annual vs perennial, ruderal vs stress-tolerant)? Similarly, do populations at the range edges have a reduced adaptive potential relative to populations at the core range based on their standing genetic variation? (back)