The process of natural selection is driven by environmental selection pressures which determine the biological fitness of a species (the capacity to survive and reproduce)

• Climate change introduces new selection pressures and hence can cause species to evolve via natural selection

An example of evolutionary change due to climate disruptions can be observed in the changing frequency of feather colouration in tawny owls

• In snowy conditions, pale grey owls are less visible and so are more likely to survive and reproduce – making the grey polymorphism more common

• In warmer forest conditions, brown owls are more camouflaged and so are better equipped to survive – making the brown polymorphism more common
  

• Climate change is resulting in global warming and milder winters, leading to snowy owls becoming less frequent

Tawny Owl Colouration