It was Charles Darwin who coined the phrase “the survival of the fittest” when describing the basis for his theory of evolution. This is actually something that people today might actually be witnessing. For example, global warming is causing rapid-fire climate change, including the early arrival of the seasons.
Just imagine the general effects of the coming of spring; it tends to trigger the emergence of plants and insects and the return of certain species of birds and migratory animals. Consider the effects of an early spring and how some animals would miss out on their expected food supplies should their own patterns not shift to accommodate the new weather patterns.
Scientists note that it will only be the birds and animals that are able to reset their internal clocks and head into their migratory patterns earlier that are able to flourish under the new circumstances. It is such animals who will find their regular food sources and who will be able to follow their traditional seasonal patterns of mating, raising offspring and preparing for the cooler weather.
This article appears in Sep 30 – Oct 6, 2010.