How did the industrial revolution impact the population of peppered moths in Britain
The industrial revolution had a significant impact on the population of peppered moths in Britain. Prior to the industrial revolution, the peppered moth population was predominantly light in color, camouflaging them against the light-colored lichens that covered tree trunks. However, as industrialization took hold and factories belched out pollution, the trees became covered in black soot, which made the light-colored moths more visible to predators.
Over time, the darker, melanistic form of the peppered moth became more prevalent as they were better camouflaged against the blackened tree trunks. This evolutionary change in the moth population is a classic example of natural selection driven by environmental changes brought about by the industrial revolution. This phenomenon was famously studied by British biologist Bernard Kettlewell in the mid-20th century and became a textbook example of evolution in action.