Environmental changes are really important for how new species develop. Let's break it down:
Natural Selection: When the environment changes, some traits become more helpful. For example, during a drought, plants with deeper roots can get water better. As a result, these plants survive more and become the most common.
Isolation: Sometimes, changes like mountains or rivers can split groups of animals or plants apart. When they can't mingle or breed with each other, they start to change in different ways based on their surroundings.
Genetic Variation: When the environment puts pressure on living things, it can create more genetic differences. This means that some individuals are better at surviving and having babies, leading to new traits and, eventually, new species.
In short, environmental changes lead to natural selection, create isolation, and boost genetic variation. All of these things help new species to appear!
Environmental changes are really important for how new species develop. Let's break it down:
Natural Selection: When the environment changes, some traits become more helpful. For example, during a drought, plants with deeper roots can get water better. As a result, these plants survive more and become the most common.
Isolation: Sometimes, changes like mountains or rivers can split groups of animals or plants apart. When they can't mingle or breed with each other, they start to change in different ways based on their surroundings.
Genetic Variation: When the environment puts pressure on living things, it can create more genetic differences. This means that some individuals are better at surviving and having babies, leading to new traits and, eventually, new species.
In short, environmental changes lead to natural selection, create isolation, and boost genetic variation. All of these things help new species to appear!