Final answer:
Natural selection would still play a significant role in evolution in a world with infinite resources and space, acting on genetic variations to promote species evolution and diversity, while genetic drift and mutations would contribute traits that natural selection can act upon.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a hypothetical world with infinite resources and space, natural selection remains a major driving force in evolution because it acts on phenotypic variations within populations to select for individuals that are better suited to survive and reproduce. While resources are unlimited, the variations in species that natural selection acts upon are based on existing genetic variance and new alleles created by mutations and gene flow. It is important to note that evolution is influenced by multiple forces, including natural selection, genetic drift, and mutations, making it a non-random but also non-purposive process.
Although in such a world, the pressures for survival may be reduced due to the abundance of resources, natural selection would still result in subtle evolutionary changes over time. Organisms would still compete for optimal conditions and mates, leading to species evolution and increased diversity driven by natural selection in addition to other mechanisms. Consequently, while mutations and genetic drift may introduce new traits or alleles, natural selection acts to filter and spread those that confer a selective advantage—albeit possibly to a lesser degree compared to an environment with limited resources.