Fitness Trade-offs

Fitness trade-offs refer to the balance organisms must strike between different traits that affect their ability to survive and reproduce. Improving one trait, like speed, might come at the expense of another, such as strength or energy efficiency. These compromises occur because resources—such as energy and time—are limited. As a result, organisms evolve to optimize certain traits for their environment, but enhancing one characteristic often means sacrificing another. Understanding these trade-offs helps explain the diversity of adaptations and strategies seen in nature.