Microevolution and migration can affect an ecosystem by influencing genetic diversity, adaptation, and population dynamics, which in turn impact ecosystem stability and function.

Microevolution Effects

Microevolution involves small genetic changes within a population over a short period. These changes can increase or decrease genetic variation and help species adapt to environmental shifts—for example, pests developing resistance to pesticides. This adaptation can alter species interactions and ecosystem processes. However, microevolution may also reduce genetic diversity, potentially making populations more vulnerable to environmental stresses.

Migration Effects

Migration introduces or removes individuals and their genes from a population, effectively mixing gene pools. This gene flow increases genetic diversity and can help populations adapt better to local conditions. Migration also can spread diseases or invasive species, disrupting existing ecosystem balances and species composition. Conversely, lack of migration may lead populations to diverge genetically, possibly resulting in speciation or local extinctions.

Together, microevolution and migration shape the genetic structure of populations in ecosystems, affecting how species survive, reproduce, and interact, thereby influencing ecosystem resilience and function.