Researchers from McGill University in Canada concluded that human activity leads to the accelerated development of various types of animals, plants and microorganisms. The scientists presented their findings in an article published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.
Experts analyzed the results of studies on the influence of people on evolution, as well as how this is reflected in human society itself. In many cases, evolutionary changes take years to several decades - much faster than biologists have assumed. Selection pressure, which characterizes the intensity of natural selection, becomes very strong as a result of anthropogenic activity, which leads to the acceleration of the development of new species of animals.
For example, active fishing leads to the fact that fish, over generations, begin to reproduce at an earlier age. The offspring becomes few in number and loses in size, which affects the catch. Animal species that have been introduced into ecosystems alien to them evolve in such a way that they begin to spread faster and have a stronger effect on local organisms, often leading to their extinction. Sometimes native species change in response, allowing them to withstand the influence of an invader.
Among the factors of accelerated evolution, the authors also name urban growth. Thus, plants stop spreading seeds over large areas due to the fact that most of the latter are covered with asphalt. In addition, animals develop resistance to industrial and household chemicals, while bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics and other drugs.