What is likely to occur in stable climates over time?

In stable climates over time, adaptation and speciation of populations are likely to occur due to consistent environmental conditions that support certain traits while filtering out others. When habitats remain relatively unchanged, populations are subjected to the same selective pressures, which can enhance traits that are favorable for survival and reproduction. This process can lead to the development of distinct populations as they adapt to their specific niches or environments through natural selection.

As these populations evolve, genetic divergence may result in the formation of new species, particularly if geographic or reproductive barriers develop. Stable climates can create a framework for this evolutionary process, allowing species to optimize their adaptations without the immediate pressures of drastic environmental changes.

Other options do not reflect the typical outcomes one would expect in stable climates. For example, rapid extinction of species is more associated with sudden environmental changes or catastrophic events, while increased genetic mutations occur randomly and are not directly driven by environmental stability. Shifts in species population dynamics might occur, but in stable environments, these shifts would generally be minor and not indicative of broad evolutionary trends.