It would seem the design that can survive the most extinctions would be the clear winner in the end.

  • intensely_human
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    4
    ·
    4 months ago

    The thing about coastal areas is they’ll always be a part of Earth’s biosphere. Unlike plains or deserts or deciduous forests, which don’t have to exist, and can completely disappear, coastlines and estuaries can only move, never disappear.

    • Fluke@discuss.online
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      4 months ago

      This is a cool point. I’ve never thought about that before. It’s a very stable environment allowing for efficiency to be selected for in ways that may decrease adaptability.

    • fishos@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      arrow-down
      4
      ·
      edit-2
      4 months ago

      A coastline absolutely can vanish(submerged) or be against geography, such as rocky cliffs, that is unsuitable. “Coastlines can’t stop existing, only move” is semantic nonesense.

      EDIT: for ya downvoters, where’s the coastline on an island that vanishes due to rising sea levels? The Marshall Islands have a max elevation of ~7’ and are already having issues with rising sea levels. When the sea rises above them, where does their coastal ecosystem go?

      • intensely_human
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        4 months ago

        You’re right, a beach can be replaced by cliffs that a crocodile wouldn’t be able to make use of. That’s a good point.