How can environmental change influence speciation?

Environmental change can significantly influence speciation through the creation of new habitats and the removal of existing ones. When an environmental change occurs, such as a shift in climate, geographical events like volcanic activity or tectonic shifts, or human activities that modify landscapes, it can result in the formation of new ecosystems. These newly formed habitats can support different species by providing distinct niches.

As species adapt to these new habitats, they may undergo divergent evolutionary changes, leading to the development of new species over time. For instance, a population of organisms that is separated by a new physical barrier created by the environmental change may evolve independently, acquiring traits suited to their specific new habitats. This process is a key mechanism of speciation known as allopatric speciation.

Additionally, the removal of existing habitats can have a similar effect by forcing populations into smaller, isolated areas where they can undergo different evolutionary pressures and eventually lead to speciation. In summary, environmental changes that create or eliminate habitats can drive populations to adapt in unique ways, fostering the conditions necessary for new species to emerge.