Evolutionary Traps
Constructed niches become traps when the environment shifts but the constructor is locked in due to sunk costs, path dependence, or feedback loops.
Your greatest strength becomes your prison.
Evolutionary traps occur when niche construction becomes maladaptive - the constructed environment ultimately harms the constructor. Moths evolved navigation using celestial light at fixed angles; artificial lights create spiral flight paths drawing moths to exhaustion or death. Kudzu initially benefits from smothering competitors but creates ecologically impoverished monocultures that degrade its own long-term fitness. Agricultural monocultures initially benefit pests but trigger pesticide arms races.
Business Application of Evolutionary Traps
Constructed niches become traps when the environment shifts but the constructor is locked in due to sunk costs, path dependence, or feedback loops. Kodak's film niche prevented digital pivot. Groupon's daily deals extracted value without sustainability. Indicators include declining returns despite increasing investment, external environment incompatible with niche, and competitor bypass.