Describe the role of natural selection in promoting biodiversity.

Natural selection promotes biodiversity by favouring traits that enhance survival and reproduction in varying environments.

Natural selection is a fundamental mechanism of evolution, first proposed by Charles Darwin. It operates on the principle of 'survival of the fittest', where individuals with traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in a particular environment are more likely to pass on these traits to their offspring. Over time, this process can lead to the evolution of new species, thereby promoting biodiversity.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, encompassing the diversity of ecosystems, species, and genetic variation within species. It is a crucial aspect of life on Earth, providing ecosystem services, contributing to human wellbeing, and playing a vital role in maintaining the balance of nature.

Natural selection can promote biodiversity in several ways. Firstly, it can lead to speciation, the process by which new species evolve. This can occur when populations of a species become isolated from each other, either geographically or due to changes in behaviour or habitat preference. Over time, different selective pressures in the separate environments can lead to the evolution of distinct species.

Secondly, natural selection can maintain biodiversity by preserving a range of different traits within a population. This genetic diversity can provide a buffer against environmental changes, allowing populations to adapt and survive. For example, if a disease wipes out individuals with a particular genetic makeup, those with different genes may be resistant and continue to reproduce, ensuring the survival of the species.

Finally, natural selection can promote biodiversity at the ecosystem level. Different species often have different roles in an ecosystem, such as producers, consumers, or decomposers. Natural selection can favour traits that allow species to exploit different niches, or roles, within the ecosystem, thereby promoting a diversity of species.

In conclusion, natural selection is a key driver of biodiversity. By favouring traits that enhance survival and reproduction in different environments, it can lead to the evolution of new species, maintain genetic diversity within populations, and promote a diversity of species within ecosystems.