Natural Selection

"An assignment I wrote on role of natural selection in evolution and what role it plays in environmental science." - Jeannette Villatoro

Natural Selection

Perhaps few theories are as controversial as evolution and the theory of natural selection. With that said, natural selection as it pertains to environmental science has become an intriguing solution to some of the various complexities that nature has displayed.

Natural selection promotes an understanding of the ever-changing genetics that can occur among species. According to the natural selection theory, species mutant according to their environment so that the more advanced genetic traits win out for the best opportunities for survival (Cunningham, W., Cunningham, M., 2008). The role that this plays in evolution is fundamental, in that it supports the evolvement of species. Changes occur and develop to allow adaption to harsher environments or competitors in the environment (Cunningham, W., Cunningham, M., 2008). Charles Darwin made his observations that led to the theory of evolution based on differentiating physical traits and behaviors of same species.

Through natural selection, certain species or organisms that have better or more advanced genetic traits have a better chance of living abundantly. This affects the ecosystem of certain environments and the population of species. This also promotes the advancement of superior species throughout various ecosystems, making the world more productive. This process could also ultimately result in new species after continuous mutations occur, which would also seemingly effect ecosystems.

Natural selection has proved to be a fascinating discovery and a theory that has led to many other realizations about our environment. The way that a species adapts to it's environment and how it evolves certain fundamental traits for better adaption for future generations helps in the overall understanding of factors that contribute to environmental science.

References

Cunningham, W., Cunningham, M. (2008) Principles of environmental science (4th ed.). McGraw Hill.