International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 34-42 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 36 1.2 Biodiversity and adaptive pressures in ecosystems The biodiversity in high-altitude ecosystems is constrained by various factors, including extreme climate, terrain complexity, and relatively isolated geographical locations. Although there are relatively few species, some specialized plants and animals exhibit excellent adaptability in this environment. In high-altitude vegetation, typical plant species include alpine cordyceps, alpine coniferous forests such as fir. As a medicinal fungus, Cordyceps militaris can survive and reproduce in low oxygen and low temperature environments. The adaptability of its growth cycle and metabolic processes to high-altitude environments has become one of the focuses of research. The fir is a typical plant in high-altitude regions (Zhang et al., 2021), which has successfully adapted to the harsh climate of high mountains by developing special cold resistant physiological mechanisms, such as reducing freezing temperature and improving antioxidant capacity. In animal communities, Tibetan antelopes are one of the representative species in high-altitude areas. As a large herbivore on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, Tibetan antelopes effectively cope with low oxygen pressure and extreme temperatures in high-altitude environments through their unique respiratory system and blood structure. Their long and powerful legs and thick fur also provide strong support for their survival in rugged mountain terrain. Adaptive stress is not only manifested in the morphological structure of organisms, but also in the evolution of behavioral and physiological characteristics (Gao et al., 2019). Birds in high-altitude areas, such as snow finches, adapt to harsh climate conditions by changing their activity patterns and selecting their nests. The high-altitude blue woolly bird has a higher metabolic rate and trachea branching structure, in order to more effectively obtain oxygen and adapt to lower oxygen concentrations in high-altitude environments. 2 Concept of Genomic Adaptability Genomic adaptability plays an important role in biological research, connecting the genetic foundation of organisms with the evolution of the environment. It is an important driving force for organisms to adapt to the environment, maintain population survival, and promote species evolution throughout the long evolutionary process. 2.1 Defining genomic adaptability Genomic adaptation refers to the adaptive adjustment of a biological population to a specific environment gradually formed through genetic variation and natural selection over a long evolutionary process (Levy et al., 2018). This adaptability is not only manifested at the individual level, but also in genetic changes at the population level. Genomic adaptability is different from the adaptability of individual genes, as it involves the evolution of the structure and function of the entire genome. In a specific environment, the frequency of certain genotypes may increase to adapt to environmental pressure, and the accumulation of these genotypes promotes better adaptation and survival of the entire population in that environment. The realization of genomic adaptability is mainly achieved through the evolutionary mechanism of natural selection. In specific environments, individuals with favorable genotypes are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on their favorable genes to the next generation. As time goes on, the frequency of favorable genes gradually increases, and the adaptability of the entire population to the environment is strengthened. Genomic adaptation is a product of evolution, reflecting the continuous adjustment and change of organisms to environmental changes over a long period of time. 2.2 The importance of genome adaptability in different environments Genomic adaptability has important ecological and evolutionary significance in different environments. It is a natural response mechanism of organisms to environmental changes. Faced with changes in climate, geography, and ecosystems (Capblancq et al., 2020), genomic adaptability endows organisms with a higher likelihood of survival and reproductive success in new environments. This adaptive adjustment helps to maintain the genetic diversity of the population and improve its overall adaptability.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==