Question

How do natural disasters contribute to genetic drift?
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Natural disasters contribute to genetic drift by causing a significant reduction in populations, which can lead to a loss of genetic diversity. When a natural disaster occurs, individuals that are genetically better suited to survive the particular disaster may be more likely to survive and reproduce, while others may not. This can result in changes in the frequency of certain alleles within the population, creating a genetic bottleneck effect. Additionally, survivors may mate with a limited number of individuals, reducing the gene pool and increasing the likelihood of genetic drift. As a result, natural disasters can significantly impact the genetic makeup of populations, even leading to the emergence of new species over time.