Question

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all of these are examples of random evolutionary processes except
a.
an earthquake divides a single elk species into two populations, forcing
them to no longer interbreed.

b.
a mutation in a flower plant results in a new variety.

c.
an especially long winter causes a group of migrating birds to shift their
home range.

d.
a mutation results in a population of trees that spread their seeds more
widely than their peers, causing their population to grow.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Earthquake dividing elk is genetic drift (random, due to chance event).
• Option B: Mutation creating new variety is random (mutations occur by chance).
• Option C: Long winter shifting bird range is a random environmental event affecting evolution.
• Option D: The mutation here gives a survival/reproductive advantage (spreading seeds more widely helps population grow), so this is natural selection (non - random, as it's based on fitness advantage), not a random evolutionary process.

Answer:

D. a mutation results in a population of trees that spread their seeds more widely than their peers, causing their population to grow.