In unstable environments, what happens to natural selection?

In unstable environments, natural selection plays a crucial role in shaping the traits of populations. Individuals with advantageous traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in changing conditions are more likely to thrive and pass those traits on to the next generation. This process occurs because unstable environments pose challenges and pressures that can vary rapidly, making certain traits more beneficial under specific circumstances.

As conditions fluctuate, the traits that confer an advantage can shift, leading to a dynamic and ongoing process of natural selection. Therefore, the idea that individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to reproduce reflects the adaptive nature of populations in response to their environments. This illustrates how natural selection is both active and essential in contributing to biodiversity, especially in ecosystems that experience instability.