VISTA
Individuals of the same species can differ in traits such as size or color; these differences are called this.
What is variation?
A polar bear’s thick fur is a body feature that helps it stay warm in a cold environment. This inherited feature is an example of this
What is an adaptation?
The gradual change in the kinds of organisms living in an area over time is called this.
What is ecological succession?
Individuals with traits that help them survive and reproduce are more likely to pass those traits to offspring through this process
What is natural selection?
All the members of one species living in the same area make up this.
What is a population?
The passing of genetic information and traits from parents to offspring is this.
What is inheritance?
A bird’s beak shape helps it eat a particular type of food. This adaptation relates to an organism’s body form or structure
What is an anatomical adaptation?
Succession that begins where soil remains after a disturbance, such as a fire, is this type
What is secondary succession?
When geographic isolation separates populations and they change over many generations until they can no longer interbreed, this process forms a new species.
What is speciation?
Organisms that make their own food using sunlight are called this.
What are producers?
In a population of insects, individuals with inherited colors that help them avoid predators leave more offspring. This process is an example of this.
What is natural selection?
Migrating to find food or hibernating during cold weather are examples of this kind of adaptation
What is a behavioral adaptation?
Lichens and mosses that can colonize bare rock are examples of these early organisms in primary succession.
What are pioneer species?
What does ESA stand for?
What is Endangered Species Act
This law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, though it can be transferred or transformed
What is the first law of thermodynamics?
A heritable trait becomes more common in a population over many generations. This essential ingredient of evolution explains how long-term change occurs.
What is time?
A desert animal’s kidneys concentrate its urine to conserve water. This internal body process is an example of this kind of adaptation.
What is a physiological adaptation?
After a volcanic eruption leaves bare rock, organisms gradually establish, soil forms, and the community changes. This sequence is an example of this type of succession.
What is primary succession?
A species is at risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Under the Endangered Species Act, it may be listed in this category.
What is endangered?
The Endangered Species Act is a U.S. law that helps protect species at risk of extinction and supports their recovery. This is its central purpose
What is protecting endangered and threatened species and their habitats?
When habitat fragmentation separates populations, they may become geographically isolated and diverge over time. This separation can reduce gene flow between them
What is geographic isolation?
A species’ adaptations suit its role and way of life in its environment. This role and way of life is called this.
What is an ecological niche?
Habitat loss can fragment a species’ range into smaller patches. Protecting or restoring connected areas can help populations move between patches and support this process of rebuilding a community.
What is ecological restoration?
A species is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Under the Endangered Species Act, it may be listed in this category.
What is threatened?
The bald eagle’s recovery after protection under the Endangered Species Act is an example of this conservation outcome: a species’ population increases enough to improve its status.
What is species recovery?