In a small population of alpine foxes, you observe increased ear length over a 10-year period. Can you conclude that increase in ear length is advantageous in this population

No, I can't conclude that because there are several factors that influence the expression of a trait (for example, gene drift)

Explanation:

There are several factors that affect the genetic variation of a phenotypic trait in populations with small sizes. Genetic drift is an important evolutionary mechanism by which allele frequencies change in populations, and it is well known that the effects of genetic drift are most pronounced in small populations. Moreover, gene flow -or migration- is an evolutionary factor (stronger in small populations) that is also potentially capable of changing allele frequencies and thus contribute to the overall genetic variation of a phenotypic trait. Finally, environmental factors (for example, abiotic and biotic stresses) may also be associated with the variation of a quantitative trait such as, in this case, ear length.

i would have to say autosomal

its temperature is increasing. this causes molecular vibrations to increase.