What did Alfred Wallace contribute to the theory of evolution?

Alfred Wallace is best known for his independent formulation of the theory of natural selection, which he developed around the same time as Charles Darwin. Wallace proposed that species evolve over time through a process driven by natural selection, where individuals with traits that enhance their survival and reproduction are more likely to pass those traits to the next generation. His observations during his travels, particularly in the Amazon and the Malay Archipelago, led him to conclude that the diversity of life is a result of evolutionary processes.

While other options such as the discovery of DNA structure and patterns of inheritance are significant contributions to biological sciences, they are not associated with Wallace. The concept of genetic drift, although an important evolutionary mechanism, was not a focus of Wallace's work. His pivotal role in shaping the understanding of evolution alongside Darwin highlights the significance of natural selection in the broader context of evolutionary biology.