Adaptation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-000451",
  "term": "Adaptation",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Adjustments made by animals in respect of their environments. The adjustments may occur by natural selection, as individuals with favorable genetically acquired traits breed more prolifically than those lacking these traits (genotypic adaptation), or they may involve non-genetic changes in individuals, such as physiological modification (e.g. acclimatization) or behavioral changes (phenotypic adaptation).\n\n2. Adjustment in natural or human systems to a new or changing environment. Adaptation to climate change refers to adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. State and local governments can engage in various types of adaptation, including anticipatory or reactive adaptation, autonomous or planned adaptation, and adaptation for private or public environments.\n\n3. Changes in an organism's physiological structure or function or habits that allow it to survive in new surroundings.\n\n4. Taking actions to avoid, benefit from, or deal with current and future climate change. Adaptation can take place in advance (by planning before an impact occurs) or in response to changes that are already occurring.\n\n5. Adjustment or preparation of natural or human systems to a new or changing environment which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.\n\n6. The evolutionary process by which a population undergoes progressive genetic modification to increase its ability to survive and reproduce in a given environment.\n\n7. \"Adjustment in natural or human systems to a new or changing environment that exploits beneficial opportunities or moderates negative effects.\"",
  "subject": "Climate change",
  "references": [
    "Aquatic Biodiversity Glossary; Biocriteria Glossary",
    "State and Local Climate and Energy Program Glossary of Terms; State and Local Climate and Energy Glossary",
    "Terms of Environment",
    "Student's Guide to Global Climate Change; Resilience and Adaptation in New England (RAINE) Glossary",
    "Glossary of Climate Change Terms",
    "EPA Genetic Diversity as an Indicator of Ecosystem Condition and Sustainability Glossary at http://www.epa.gov/eerd/Glossary-%20Genetic%20Diversity.pdf",
    "EPA EV-Natural Environments-Natural Phenomena"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/adaptation/"
}