How can microevolution be measured in a population?

Microevolution refers to small changes in allele frequencies within a population over time, which can occur due to various mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow. Observing changes in allele frequencies is a direct way to measure these evolutionary changes. This approach involves using genetic data to track how the prevalence of specific alleles may increase or decrease across generations, reflecting the adaptation of the population to its environment or the influence of selective pressures.

In contrast, analyzing species richness is more focused on biodiversity rather than the microevolutionary changes happening within a specific population. Categorizing organisms into families concentrates on taxonomy and classification, which does not directly address changes at the genetic level over time. Evaluating environmental changes can provide context for potential evolutionary pressures but does not measure the genetic changes themselves. Therefore, measuring changes in allele frequencies is the most appropriate method for assessing microevolution.