Natural disasters like floods, fires, and earthquakes can have a big impact on local plants and animals. Here’s how they make changes happen:
Genetic Changes: When disasters happen, they create new places for plants and animals to live. This forces species to change and adapt. For example, after a fire, some plants may grow thicker bark to protect themselves from future fires.
Survival of the Strongest: The plants and animals that are best able to live in the new environment tend to thrive. This is called natural selection. A good example is the finches in the Galápagos Islands. Their beaks changed shape based on the different types of food they could find after a disaster.
Quick Changes: In places that are cut off, like islands, big changes in the environment can lead to fast changes in how species evolve.
These steps show how things in the environment can affect how plants and animals evolve and become more diverse over time!
Natural disasters like floods, fires, and earthquakes can have a big impact on local plants and animals. Here’s how they make changes happen:
Genetic Changes: When disasters happen, they create new places for plants and animals to live. This forces species to change and adapt. For example, after a fire, some plants may grow thicker bark to protect themselves from future fires.
Survival of the Strongest: The plants and animals that are best able to live in the new environment tend to thrive. This is called natural selection. A good example is the finches in the Galápagos Islands. Their beaks changed shape based on the different types of food they could find after a disaster.
Quick Changes: In places that are cut off, like islands, big changes in the environment can lead to fast changes in how species evolve.
These steps show how things in the environment can affect how plants and animals evolve and become more diverse over time!