Question

Darwin studied actual birds on the Galapagos Islands instead of using a simulation, as you did in this lab. Studying natural selection in the field can be challenging. List at least three possible challenges Darwin might have faced.

Answer 1

Properly identifying each species.
Accurately recording his findings.
Not interfering with ecosystem while studying the birds.

Answer 2

Traits other than beak type might affect natural selection.

It could take many generations to observe adaptions to a population.

The environment may be complex and hard to study.

Changes in the environment may occur faster or slower than changes to the birds

The birds may be interdependent with other organisms that may change, too.