Final answer:
Genetic diversity is the type of diversity that allows species to adapt to changing environments, as it offers a wealth of genetic variation for natural selection to act upon.
Step-by-step explanation:
The specific type of diversity that provides the raw material allowing species to adapt to changing environments is genetic diversity. Genetic diversity refers to the range of genetic variation or differences within the genomes of individuals in populations that make up a species. This variation is the bedrock upon which natural selection acts and permits species to evolve and adapt to new challenges such as environmental changes, climate shifts, and disease pressures.
Conservation of genetic diversity is thus a key factor in maintaining the resilience and adaptability of species populations.