Adaptation and mitigation are the two strategies that indicate climatic change. Mitigation tackles the causes of climate change, whereas, adaptation tackles the effects. Adaptation is the adjustment in response to climate change. Mitigation is human intervention to reduce the sources of emission of greenhouse gases, thereby, preventing increase in temperatures.
The meaning of adaptation implies how a species changes its body and behavior to raise suit its natural environment. Approximately, there are 8.7 million species currently living on earth. And they are found across a good and diverse natural environment, starting from frozen and desolate Arctics to the sweltering sands of the Sahara.
The ever-changing feature of the planet earth is the natural environment.And the process of adaptation ensures that the species which adapts the foremost , survive.
Types of Adaptations
As per the functions, the types of adaptations in animals and plants are categorized and the response observed. These include:
Structural Adaptations
These are special attributes such as that involves some parts of an organism’s body such as skin, colour and shape. These adaptations prove to be useful for the organisms to survive in their natural habitat. Examples include the blubber of a whale, the beak of a woodpecker, baleen of a humpback whale.
Physiological Adaptations
These are mechanisms present in an organism that allow it to perform certain biochemical reactions to survive in its natural habitat. Example: A snake’s ability to supply venom, mammal’s ability to take care of constant blood heat . Even the power of our body to supply acid to digest food is taken into account as a physiological adaptation.
Behavioural Adaptations
These are ways a specific organism behaves to survive in its natural habitats. Behavioural adaptation is the migration of animals and birds. Hibernation and aestivation are also behavioural adaptations.
Adaptation v/s Mitigation
However, there are issues involved in both the processes. Mitigation is seen as a far better option as compared to adaptation. But mitigation is expensive. Executing the plans requires a lot of investment and most of the people and governments are not ready to pay. This creates problems.
FAQs on Difference Between Adaptation and Mitigation
Q1. What is Adaptation?
Ans: The meaning of adaptation implies how a species changes its body and behavior to raise suit its natural environment. Approximately, there are 8.7 million species currently living on earth. And they are found across a good and diverse natural environment, starting from frozen and desolate Arctics to the sweltering sands of the Sahara.
Q2. What are the Types of Adaptation?
Ans: As per the functions, the types of adaptations in animals and plants are categorized and the response observed. These include:
Structural Adaptations
These are special attributes such as that involves some parts of an organism’s body such as skin, colour and shape. These adaptations prove to be useful for the organisms to survive in their natural habitat. Examples include the blubber of a whale, the beak of a woodpecker, baleen of a humpback whale.
Physiological Adaptations
These are mechanisms present in an organism that allow it to perform certain biochemical reactions to survive in its natural habitat. Example: A snake’s ability to supply venom, mammal’s ability to take care of constant blood heat . Even the power of our body to supply acid to digest food is taken into account as a physiological adaptation.
Behavioural Adaptations
These are ways a specific organism behaves to survive in its natural habitats. Behavioural adaptation is the migration of animals and birds. Hibernation and aestivation are also behavioural adaptations.
Q3. What is the Theory of Adaptation?
Ans: The theory of adaptation is also known as the theory of survival of the fittest. It refers to the organism’s ability to adapt to environmental changes over time.
Q4. What is the Importance of Adaptation?
Ans: Adaptation is important for the survival of living organisms. The ability of the organisms to adapt to different situations and surroundings helps the world to move ahead.
Q5. What is Structural Adaptation?
Ans: These are special attributes such as that involves some parts of an organism’s body such as skin, colour and shape. These adaptations prove to be useful for the organisms to survive in their natural habitat. Examples include the blubber of a whale, the beak of a woodpecker, baleen of a humpback whale.
