Step 1: Understanding Genetic Drift.
Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies in a population over time. These changes occur by chance, not by natural selection.
Step 2: Key Requirement.
The effect of genetic drift is most pronounced in small populations, where random fluctuations can significantly alter allele frequencies. In large populations, the effect of drift is negligible.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Therefore, a small population size is necessary for evolution driven by genetic drift.