Living organisms change as the abiotic and biotic components in their environment change. The process that makes change possible in living things is called natural selection.
Scientists use the term adaptive radiation to describe the change from a common ancestor into a number of different species that “radiate out” to inhabit different niches.
Ecological succession is the term scientists use to refer to changes that take place over time in the types of organisms that live in an area.
Primary succession occurs in an area where no soil exists, such as on bare rock.
Pioneer species is the term scientists use to describe the lichens and other plants that are the first organisms to survive and reproduce in an area.
The process of primary succession leads to the development of a mature community, which is sometimes called a climax community.
Flooding occurs in coastal areas, rivers, and lakes, when the volume of water exceeds the ability of the water body to contain it.
Tsunami is the term used to describe a huge, rapidly moving ocean wave and it is usually caused by large earthquakes or underwater volcanic eruptions.
Drought is a recurring event in many parts of the world, it usually occurs when there is a below-average amount of precipitation in an area over a period of many months or years.
Land use refers to the ways we use the land around us for urban development, agriculture, industry, mining, and forestry.
Resource use refers to the ways we obtain and use these materials.
Habitat loss refers to the destruction of habitats, which usually results from human activities.
Habitat fragmentation is the division of habitats into smaller, isolated fragments.
Deforestation is the practice in which forests are logged or cleared for human use and never replanted.
Soil degradation can occur when water and wind erosion removes topsoil from bare land, topsoil is