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A modification to an organism, or a feature of an organism, that makes it better fitted for a particular environment. Adaptations may either be acquired during the life of the individual or, if governed by the genotype, be inherited. All organisms show adaptation to a greater or lesser extent, i.e. they have evolved from ancestors not adapted in the same way. The diversity of floral structure reflects the way different plants have become adapted to different pollinators.
A less adapted species that has a wide range of tolerance to changes in the environment may be better able to colonize new areas or survive changes in its own habitat. Highly adapted species are less likely to survive sudden environmental changes but more likely to thrive in their particular niche. Weeds are exceptions to this generalization, having evolved adaptations that specifically enable them to colonize disturbed ground.
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