How does biodiversity support evolution?

Answer 1

To have evolution, you must have random variation and differential reproductive success. Biodiversity represents the random variation found in a population. Natural selection, the way in which evolution works, does not create new traits. It only selects them and allows them to become more prevalent in the population. This happens because the organisms with the favorable traits are able to produce more offspring. Without biodiversity, these traits might not exist in the first place and so could not be favored.

Answer 2

Biodiversity provides a wide range of genetic variation within a species, which gives organisms the ability to adapt to changing environments through natural selection. The more diverse an ecosystem is, the more opportunities there are for evolution to occur through processes such as genetic mutation and gene flow between different species. Overall, biodiversity promotes the survival and success of different species and contributes to the ongoing process of evolution.