British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Environmental Science Glossary - Natural selection definition

Definition: It is a natural process where the best-adapted individuals – animals or plants – survive longer in a specific environment. They have more offspring and thereby spread their characteristics. They will struggle to survive in a specific environment if they are not adapted.

Let me tell you about Charles Darwin, who visited a group of Galapagos islands. He discovered that finch birds on different islands were similar but not the exactly same. Darwin's observations revealed that there is a variety in the beak shapes. The finches' beaks differed depending on the local food source. For example, finches commonly found on trees have short and curved beaks, mainly used to feed on insects. Birds, widely found on the ground, have larger and sharp beaks suitable for cracking large seeds and nuts. This is amazing and interesting!