Organisms require food resources to obtain the energy necessary for their survival and reproduction. From the food consumed by organisms, they acquire the energy necessary for metabolic processes such as respiration, growth and reproduction. Some organisms have the ability to obtain food resources better than others. The amount of food available in a specific habitat is limited, therefore organisms that are unable to obtain the food resources will most likely move to an unfilled niche to obtain their food resources. Because there is no competition and there are many unoccupied niches, organisms that are not adapted to these niches can exploit them. Organisms that are able to adapt to these new niches will eventually develop mutations that help them exploit these niches and give them a great advantage over other organisms. Individual species that are able to adapt to a new environment are more likely to survive because competition is lower and more resources are available. Thus, organisms such as animals and plants rely on an adaptive radiation mechanism to ensure their survival and pass on their genes to their offspring. Adaptive radiation occurs when an organism evolves into a new form due to a change in its habitat or environment. Adaptive radiation also increases diversity in each lineage. Darwin's finches are an example of adaptive radiation. In the 1830s, Charles Darwin, a naturalist and geologist, undertook a voyage to the Galapagos Islands. He observed 13 species of finches on this island, each occupying a different niche on different islands. After observing this, he wanted to understand why this was happening. Charles Darwin observed and collected small birds that inhibited the islands and he also kept a record of the origin of the species....... middle of paper ...... and passing on their genes to their offspring. Adaptive radiation These are the processes by which species rapidly evolve to exploit empty space. They form in several ways, including when there is an open niche, an organism moves into it and adapts to the environment. Another way is that when an organism lives in a habitat where it is outcompeted by other organisms for food resources, it is forced to move and go to a different habitat. These organisms will adapt to the new habitat and survive because there is less competition for food resources. Another way is storm, where a storm moves organisms from their natural environment to a new environment and these organisms adapt to survive in the new habitat. The organism's main goal is to survive and pass its genes to its offspring. Adaptive radiation is a key process that increases their reproductive success.