What Causes Diversification? There are two main mechanisms for change which will reduce biodiversity within a population: Genetic drift: The change in the composition of a gene pool as a result of a random or chance event. Natural selection: The change in the composition of a gene pool as a result of differentially selective environmental
What Is Rapid Diversification? Although biologists have different standards for defining an adaptive radiation, it generally means an event in which a lineage rapidly diversifies, with the newly formed lineages evolving different adaptations. The rapid diversification of mammals shown below may constitute an adaptive radiation. What causes diversification? There are two main mechanisms for change