40 Years of Evolution: Darwin's Finches on Daphne Major Island
Natural selection is observable in single generations, not just geological time
This is the definitive scientific account demonstrating that natural selection is observable within human lifetimes, not just geological time. The Grants' 40-year study on Daphne Major documented the 1977 drought that killed 80% of medium ground finches, with survivors having measurably larger beaks. They watched evolution happen in real time with calipers.
For business leaders, this research proves that selection pressure produces measurable, predictable outcomes. The finches didn't 'decide' to have larger beaks - environmental pressure selected for pre-existing variation. Similarly, markets don't reward companies that 'try harder' - they reward companies whose existing variation happens to match environmental demands.
Key Findings from Grant & Grant (2014)
- Natural selection is observable in single generations, not just geological time
- After the 1977 drought, average beak depth increased 4% in one generation
- The same population showed opposite selection during 1983 El Niño (small beaks selected)
- Fitness landscapes flip based on environmental conditions
- Selection is mechanical and predictable given known environmental pressures