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💡 Slow change, endless variety
Today’s diversity was not always here. Tiny differences among individuals, piling up over countless generations, gave rise to entirely new forms of life.
How has biodiversity evolved?
- The biodiversity we see today was not always the same .
- Small differences among individuals affected their chances of survival and reproduction, helping them adapt.
- These differences accumulated over many generations and gave rise to new forms of life — an outcome of continuous change shaped by organisms and their surroundings.
🏛 India’s Scientific Contributions
Some ancient Indian traditions, such as the Sangam Tinai classification of landscapes and the protection of sacred groves , show a sophisticated understanding of landscapes and their biota. These customs effectively preserved locally diverse habitats, aligning with modern ecological principles even without a formal ecological theory.
✅ Test Yourself
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What causes new forms of life to arise over generations?
Show answer
Small differences among individuals affect their chances of survival and reproduction. These differences accumulate over many generations and give rise to new forms of life. -
The diversity we see today is an outcome of what?
Show answer
Of continuous changes occurring over a vast span of time, shaped by the interactions between organisms and their surroundings.
Important Definitions
- Evolution — the continuous change in life forms over a vast span of time, shaped by interactions between organisms and their surroundings.
- Adaptation — a difference that helps an organism survive and reproduce in changed conditions, and so accumulates over generations.
