Spatial variability can be assessed using spatial descriptive statistics such as the range. Spatial variability occurs when a quantity that is measured at different spatial locations exhibits values that differ across the locations. The genetic control of VE can be direct, whereby the genes encoding the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that are responsible for the underlying heritable variation also respond to environmental variation, or indirect, whereby the genes encoding the QTLs that are responsible for the underlying heritable variation do not respond directly to environmental variation, but the response is mediated by other genes. You might likeIs deep ecology an environmental ethical theories?Įnvironmental variation (VE) in a quantitative trait – variation in phenotype that cannot be explained by genetic variation or identifiable genetic differences – can be regarded as being under some degree of genetic control.