Our planet is teeming with life. There are over eight
million animal species on Earth and at least as many
plant species. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution suggests
that this incredible diversity shares a common ancestry.
Species evolve over generations because individuals
better adapted to their environment are more likely to
survive and pass on their traits. Over millions of years,
nature will select the best adapted animals to extend
the branches of their evolutionary tree.
Fluctuations in climate are one of the major drivers of
evolutionary change as they can affect every aspect
of an ecosystem, from plant life to predators. Larger
species may perish in hot climates because they have
a tough time dissipating heat. Likewise, smaller species
have difficulty maintaining heat during times of extreme
cold. Evolution: Climate models this phenomenon as it
incorporates a shifting climate into the
game’s dynamic ecosystem.
