I understand ToE. I am questioning this premise that RAZD had posted in his OP. Once again, here is the problematic PREMISE 1:
"(1) The process of evolution involves changes in the composition of hereditary traits, and changes to the frequency of their distributions within breeding populations from generation to generation, in response to ecological challenges and opportunities."
Perhaps I can help clarify what RAZD is saying.
Let's say that there are two alleles in a population: allA and allB. In the current population the alleles are evenly distributed meaning that 50% of the population has allA and 50% has allB (with some having both). The environment changes. The new environment favors allA. What will we see in future generations? We will see the allelic distribution change over several generations. You will soon see allA in more individuals then you will see allB. That is the cause and effect.
I knew that evolution has mechanisms like mutations, natural selection, genetic drift, etc...but accdg to the above PREMISE1, these mechanisms from ToE or evolution will not kick in unless ecological challenges and opportunities will not arise.
Every living population is competing for limited resources, so it applies to every living population. Even in static environments there is still competition between individuals for food and resources.