Better Evolution Through Chemistry: Rapid Evolution Driven by Human Changes to the Chemical Environment

摘要

Evolution occurs when phenotypic variation among organisms causes differences in reproductive success, and when these phenotype differences are passed on to offspring. Human mediated changes in local and global environments can dramatically change levels of natural selection and can lead to rapid evolutionary change. Examples of pesticide and antibiotic resistance have grown along with the use of these chemicals in agriculture in medicine, especially when evolutionary arms races occur. Though small organisms with fast generation times are most likely to provide clear examples of rapid evolution, there are examples among larger-bodied species including humans. A pervasive chemical modification of the environment due to increased CO_2 levels is threatening a wide array of plant and animal life. Though some species are already evolving in the face of such changes, climate shifts due to CO_2 increases are occurring ten times faster than during a typical glacial cycle. Species with long generation times, or complex morphological traits are least likely to evolve fast enough to keep pace with this rapid evolutionary challenge.