Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Global Climate Change

Global Climate Change

Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.

What is Natural Selection?

What is Natural Selection?

Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.

Genetic Drift

Genetic Drift

Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.

What is Evolutionary History?

What is Evolutionary History?

Scientists record evolutionary history by analyzing fossil, morphological, and genetic data. The fossil record documents the history of life on Earth and provides evidence for evolution. However, both fossil and living organisms offer evidence that outlines Earth’s evolutionary history.

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the...

Natural Selection and Adaptation

Natural Selection and Adaptation

Natural selection, a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, is the mechanism by which evolution is driven, favoring organisms that are best adapted to their environments. This process enhances their chances of survival and reproduction. Adaptation, a key outcome of this process, involves genetic modifications that optimize an organism's functionality under specific environmental challenges, such as extreme cold or thinner air at high altitudes.
Beyond physical adaptations,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Native Regiella Endosymbionts Provide Strong Parasitoid Protection With Limited Impacts on Fitness and Virus Transmission in Myzus persicae.

Environmental microbiology·2026

Same author

Semifield evaluation of autodissemination systems in Aedes notoscriptus and Culex quinquefasciatus and laboratory analysis of In2Care formulation effects.

Journal of medical entomology·2026

Same author

Interactions between mosquito genetic background and Wolbachia strain affect dengue virus blocking and fitness in South American populations of Aedes aegypti.

PLoS neglected tropical diseases·2026

Same author

Exploring the potential of using male-killing endosymbionts to induce female-biased insect populations for enhanced biomass production.

Insect science·2026

Same author

Testosterone increases reproduction in the predatory ladybird Coccinella septempunctata.

Pest management science·2026

Same author

The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia reduces longevity but seems essential for ongoing culture of the parasitoid wasp, Diadegma semiclausum, a commercially important biocontrol agent.

Journal of applied microbiology·2026

Same journal

Incoming US science academy chief vows to 'double down' on research.

Nature·2026

Same journal

Author Correction: Synthesis of enantioenriched atropisomers by biocatalytic deracemization.

Nature·2026

Same journal

Electrodeposited self-assembled molecules for perovskite photovoltaics.

Nature·2026

Same journal

Neutrino's nursery found: the 'Shadow Blaster'.

Nature·2026

Same journal

Dementia risk in middle-aged people linked to a blood protein.

Nature·2026

Same journal

Daily briefing: What's really happening with trust in science.

Nature·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Climate change and evolutionary adaptation.

Ary A Hoffmann¹, Carla M Sgrò

¹Departments of Zoology and Genetics, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia. ary@unimelb.edu.au

|February 26, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Evolutionary adaptation can help species cope with climate change. Understanding evolutionary winners and losers is crucial for biodiversity conservation efforts.

More Related Videos

Impedance Pneumography for Minimally Invasive Measurement of Heart Rate in Late Stage Invertebrates

Impedance Pneumography for Minimally Invasive Measurement of Heart Rate in Late Stage Invertebrates

Published on: April 4, 2020

Field-Based Thermal Physiology Assay: Cold Shock Recovery under Ambient Conditions

Field-Based Thermal Physiology Assay: Cold Shock Recovery under Ambient Conditions

Published on: March 9, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Impedance Pneumography for Minimally Invasive Measurement of Heart Rate in Late Stage Invertebrates

Impedance Pneumography for Minimally Invasive Measurement of Heart Rate in Late Stage Invertebrates

Published on: April 4, 2020

Field-Based Thermal Physiology Assay: Cold Shock Recovery under Ambient Conditions

Field-Based Thermal Physiology Assay: Cold Shock Recovery under Ambient Conditions

Published on: March 9, 2021

Area of Science:

Ecology and evolutionary biology
Climate change science

Background:

Climate change presents significant challenges to species survival.
Rapid environmental changes necessitate evolutionary adaptation for species persistence.
Understanding adaptive capacity is key to predicting species' responses to climate change.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the potential for rapid evolutionary adaptation in response to climate change.
To identify factors influencing evolutionary 'winners' and 'losers' under environmental stress.
To integrate evolutionary dynamics into biodiversity conservation strategies.

Main Methods:

Developing realistic models of evolutionary change.
Linking theoretical models with experimental data across diverse taxa.
Assessing species' adaptive capacity and physiological limits.

Main Results:

Evolutionary adaptation can occur rapidly, offering a pathway for species to cope with climate change.
Species with limited adaptive capacity face higher risks of decline.
Predicting evolutionary trajectories is essential for effective conservation planning.

Conclusions:

Integrating evolutionary insights into management is vital for minimizing biodiversity loss.
Further research combining modeling and experimental approaches is needed.
Proactive conservation strategies must account for evolutionary potential.