What type of evolution does the adaptation of the peppered moth demonstrate?

The adaptation of the peppered moth is a classic example of industrial melanism, which is a specific type of evolution that illustrates how environmental changes can influence natural selection and population characteristics. In the case of the peppered moth, during the Industrial Revolution in England, soot and pollution darkened tree trunks and surfaces. This environmental change favored darker-colored moths, as they were less visible to predators on the blackened trees, leading to an increase in their population in urban areas where pollution was prevalent.

This phenomenon highlights how the natural selection process can lead to changes in allele frequency within a population based on survival advantages provided by specific traits, such as coloration in this case. The case of the peppered moth serves as a prominent demonstration of how external factors can drive evolutionary changes in a relatively short time frame. This example is crucial in understanding the concept of natural selection, as it showcases how organisms can undergo rapid adaptations in response to human-induced environmental changes.