Evolutionary success leads to destruction from "summary" of The Unnatural World by David Biello
The history of life on Earth is a story of competition, adaptation, and survival. Over billions of years, organisms have evolved in response to changing environments, developing an array of strategies to ensure their continued existence. The process of natural selection operates on the principle that individuals best suited to their surroundings are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to future generations. However, evolutionary success can come at a cost. As species become more specialized and efficient in exploiting their environments, they can inadvertently upset the delicate balance of ecosystems. For example, the evolution of flowering plants and their co-evolution with insects led to the explosion of biodiversity in the Cretaceous period. Yet, this success also set the stage for the demise of the dinosaurs, as the newfound dominance of flowering plants altered the landscape and food chains on which these giant reptiles depend...
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