Question

in the african savanna, more wildebeests are born than the environment can support. which is most likely to happen over a period of years as a result?
the chances for survival of the population are reduced.
new food sources are discovered and become the regular diet.
individuals that are well suited to the environment reproduce, and those that are not well suited die before they reproduce.
the environment adapts by providing more resources to the growing population, increasing the chances of survival for individuals within the habitat.

Explanation:

In the African savanna, when more wildebeests are born than the environment can support, natural selection occurs. According to Darwin's theory of evolution, individuals that are well - suited to the environment reproduce (passing on their favorable traits), and those not well - suited die before reproducing. This is a key mechanism of evolution.

• The first option "The chances for survival of the population are reduced" is too general and does not explain the evolutionary process.
• The second option "New food sources are discovered and become the regular diet" is not the most likely outcome as the environment has a carrying capacity and sudden discovery of new regular food sources is not typical in this context.
• The fourth option "The environment adapts by providing more resources to the growing population, increasing the chances of survival for individuals within the habitat" is incorrect because the environment has a limited carrying capacity and cannot infinitely adapt to provide more resources for an over - populated species in a short period (years as mentioned in the question).

Answer:

Individuals that are well suited to the environment reproduce, and those that are not well suited die before they reproduce.