The ability to respond to novel and changing environmental conditions, either by phenotypic plasticity, genetic adaptation, or range shifts, is pivotal to the longer-term survival of all organisms. Owing to increasing concerns about the consequences of human-induced global change, such responses have attracted increasing interest in recent years. RESPONSE focuses on the plastic and genetic capacities for in situ responses (cluster A) and on the factors limiting or facilitating dispersal to new habitats (cluster B).