Final answer:
Three of Darwin's key observations match with the evidence that species vary globally due to different environmental conditions (b), locally as seen in uniquely adapted species like the Galapagos finches (c), and over time demonstrated by the fossil record (a).
Step-by-step explanation:
Match Darwin's Observations with Statements
To match Darwin's observations to the correct statements, we consider his evidence and conclusions drawn during his explorations. By analyzing the organisms he encountered and studied, we can associate his observations with the evidence they provide.
- Species vary globally: Rabbits live in grasslands in Europe, but not in South America and Australia. This observation (b) reflects the global variation of species, suggesting that different species can evolve in different geographical contexts due to varying environmental pressures.
- Species vary locally: Brown birds with a variety of beak shapes live on the Galapagos Islands (c). Darwin observed finches with different beak shapes adapted to their local environment, evidencing local variation in closely related species.
- Species vary over time: Fossils of ancient organisms often resembled modern organisms, but not identical to them (a). Darwin's fossil discoveries provided evidence that species have changed over time, showing a progression of evolution and the relatedness of life forms through common ancestry.
These examples help us understand how evolution works on different scales: globally, locally, and through time, affected by natural selection and environmental factors.