Describe an environmental factor that could influence natural selection and increase genetic diversity. Pick a specific example to illustrate your point.
Climate change significantly influences natural selection by altering habitats and survival challenges for species. The example of the peppered moth demonstrates how these environmental changes can enhance genetic diversity in a population. Ultimately, varied adaptive traits emerge as species respond to shifting ecological circumstances.
One significant environmental factor that can influence natural selection and increase genetic diversity is climate change. Climate change alters habitats, which can affect the survival and reproduction of species. For instance, consider the case of the peppered moth in England.
Before the Industrial Revolution, most peppered moths had light-colored wings, which allowed them to blend in with the lichen on trees. However, as pollution darkened the tree bark, darker-colored moths became more prevalent because they had a survival advantage over their lighter counterparts. The shift in the environment increased the genetic diversity of the population as both color morphs had to adapt and survive different conditions. This example illustrates how an environmental factor like climate change can drive natural selection and enhance genetic diversity in a population.
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