Final answer:
Changes in predation patterns affect moth populations through directional selection, favoring traits that enhance survival under new conditions, as seen in the example of the peppered moth's coloration changes in response to environmental soot levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effects of Predation on Moth Trait Frequency
When predation patterns change, we can observe a significant impact on the frequency of traits within moth populations. If dark-colored moths are favored due to environmental changes that make them less visible to predators, the frequency of the dark form will increase. Conversely, if the environment lightens, making the dark form more vulnerable, we may see a resurgence of the light-colored form. This process is known as directional selection, where conditions favor individuals at one end of the trait spectrum.
The example of the peppered moth during the Industrial Revolution in England illustrates this concept. Pollution caused trees to darken, giving an advantage to the melanic form of the moth. As factories became cleaner in recent years and trees regained their lighter color, we would expect a shift back towards the light-colored phenotype.