Why Color in Nature?

Human beings have consistently tried to match with the natural evolution and fit themselves with in the new environment. In the progress nature remained the most trusted partner. Man’s constant evolution and progress has become possible due to the relationship with the Natural Environment. However, the relationship has gone through lot of fluctuating stages.

It is important to understand man’s relationship with nature before we discuss on ‘color in nature’. Human beings have consistently tried to match with the natural evolution and fit themselves with in the new environment. In the progress nature remained the most trusted partner. Man’s constant evolution and progress has become possible due to the relationship with the Natural Environment. However, the relationship has gone through lot of fluctuating stages.

Charles Darwin proved through his research on ‘natural selection’ in 1859 that the coloration of various species is directly linked to their ‘reproductive advantage’. The coloration of animal is not accidental. It is developed through evolution for thousands of years. Darwin writes, "When we see leaf-eating insects green, and bark-feeders mottled-grey; the alpine ptarmigan white in winter, the red-grouse the colour of heather, and the black-grouse that of peaty earth, we must believe that these tints are of service to these birds and insects in preserving them from danger. Grouse, if not destroyed at some period of their lives, would increase in countless numbers; they are known to suffer largely from birds of prey; and hawks are guided by eyesight to their prey, so much so, that on parts of the Continent persons are warned not to keep white pigeons, as being the most liable to destruction. Hence I can see no reason to doubt that natural selection might be most effective in giving the proper colour to each kind of grouse, and in keeping that colour, when once acquired, true and constant."

(Ref. Ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_coloration ; June 13, 2012)

In early stage human beings in ‘Stone Age’ survival had been the only way of living when man was under direct control of nature. At that formative stage man observed and learnt things from nature. Human beings did not interfere in nature’s evolution process. Rather man observed and tried to fit themselves in the condition.

During the ‘Bronze-Age’ man slowly started understanding nature and took initiative to adjust to build a relationship with nature. Man tried to understand natural phenomenon and started adjusting in a friendly way. Man started worshiping nature’s power (Sun, Thunder, Mountain, etc.). A friendship of mutual benefit has turned in to the attitude of ‘stewardship’. Unfortunately the modern lifestyle has changed the good old relationship when man tried to play god. Modernity believes in progress by controlling nature. In result man has scarified ecosystem by destroying the ecological balance resulting in indefinite future.