Scientists have come to agree that different environments impact the evolution of new species. Experiments conducted at the University of British Columbia are showing for the first time that the reverse is also true.
Researchers created mini-ecosystems in large aquatic tanks using different species of three-spine stickleback fish and saw substantial differences in the ecosystems in as little as 11 weeks.
Tanks with the two newest species had larger bits of decaying plants and animals. This prevented sunlight from penetrating the water and inhibited plant growth.
