What term refers to organisms’ ability to make long-term adjustments to environmental changes?

The term that refers to organisms’ ability to make long-term adjustments to environmental changes is adaptation. This concept encompasses the genetic, physiological, and behavioral changes that occur in populations over generations in response to environmental pressures. Through the process of natural selection, traits that enhance survival and reproduction in changing environments become more common within a population, leading to gradual changes that improve the species’ ability to thrive under new conditions.

Migration involves the movement of organisms from one location to another, often in response to seasonal changes, but it does not inherently imply a long-term change or adjustment in the organism's genetic or physiological makeup. Variation refers to differences within a population, which can lead to adaptation, but it is not a direct mechanism of change itself. Modulation typically refers to short-term responses to environmental changes rather than long-term adjustments. Therefore, adaptation accurately captures the essence of long-term changes in response to environmental factors.