Pollution can definitely change how living things evolve, but usually, these changes are not good. When the environment gets messed up by pollution, it creates tough situations for many species. Here’s how pollution affects them:
Survival Challenges: Many living things find it hard to live in polluted areas. This makes it harder for them to survive. For example, harmful chemicals can change their DNA, leading to traits that might not help them.
Genetic Bottlenecks: Pollution can wipe out large groups of animals or plants. When this happens, there are fewer different traits in that group. This means the species has a harder time evolving and adapting to changes over time.
Disruption of Ecosystems: Pollution can change food chains and how ecosystems work. This makes it even harder for species that can't handle these changes to evolve.
While some living things can adapt slowly—like when stronger individuals survive and pass on their traits—this process takes time. To fix the problems pollution causes, we need to take action right away. This means making stricter rules, using cleaner technologies, and helping to restore natural habitats.
Only if we all work together can we give these living things a chance to evolve and thrive in a world that is becoming more and more polluted.
Pollution can definitely change how living things evolve, but usually, these changes are not good. When the environment gets messed up by pollution, it creates tough situations for many species. Here’s how pollution affects them:
Survival Challenges: Many living things find it hard to live in polluted areas. This makes it harder for them to survive. For example, harmful chemicals can change their DNA, leading to traits that might not help them.
Genetic Bottlenecks: Pollution can wipe out large groups of animals or plants. When this happens, there are fewer different traits in that group. This means the species has a harder time evolving and adapting to changes over time.
Disruption of Ecosystems: Pollution can change food chains and how ecosystems work. This makes it even harder for species that can't handle these changes to evolve.
While some living things can adapt slowly—like when stronger individuals survive and pass on their traits—this process takes time. To fix the problems pollution causes, we need to take action right away. This means making stricter rules, using cleaner technologies, and helping to restore natural habitats.
Only if we all work together can we give these living things a chance to evolve and thrive in a world that is becoming more and more polluted.