Question

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:

Random evolutionary processes (like genetic drift, bottleneck, founder effect) are random, not adaptive. Options A (founder effect), B (random mutation), C (environmental random event affecting range) are random. Option D describes a mutation with a fitness advantage (spreading seeds better, population growth), which is natural selection (non - random, as it favors beneficial traits), so it's 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.