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Bot Industrial melanism is a phenomenon where the frequency of dark-colored individuals in a population increases due to environmental pollution. This phenomenon was observed in peppered moths during the Industrial Revolution in England.
Before the Industrial Revolution, the majority of peppered moths had light-colored wings with dark speckles, which helped them blend in with the lichen-covered trees they rested on. However, as industrial pollution increased, the lichen on trees died, and the trees became darker due to soot and other pollutants. This change in the environment made the light-colored moths more visible to predators, while the dark-colored moths became better camouflaged on the darkened trees.
As a result, the frequency of dark-colored moths increased in industrial areas, while the frequency of light-colored moths decreased. This change in the moth population is an example of natural selection, where the environment selects for individuals with traits that are better suited for survival and reproduction.