Which process leads to environmental adaptation in species?

Natural selection is the process that leads to environmental adaptation in species. This evolutionary mechanism operates through variations within a population, where certain traits may confer a survival advantage in a specific environment. Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass those traits on to the next generation. Over time, this can result in a gradual change in the population, making it better suited to its environment.

Natural selection occurs in response to environmental pressures, such as predation, climate change, and resource availability. These pressures influence which individuals are more likely to thrive and reproduce based on their inherited traits. Therefore, as the environment changes or as new challenges arise, species can adapt through the accumulation of beneficial traits, leading to greater fitness in that environment.

While genetic mutation introduces variability into the gene pool, it is through natural selection that these mutations become relevant in the context of adaptation. Artificial selection, on the other hand, involves human intervention in breeding practices, which is not a natural process and may not align with environmental adaptations. Ecosystem variation refers to differences in ecological conditions but does not directly lead to adaptation within species. Thus, natural selection stands out as the fundamental process driving adaptation in response to environmental changes.