What is the process of natural selection?

The process of natural selection is fundamentally about how species adapt to their environments through the differential survival and reproduction of individuals based on favorable traits. Individuals that possess characteristics better suited to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on these advantageous traits to their offspring. Over time, this can lead to evolutionary changes within a population, enabling it to adapt to changing environments and increasing its chances of survival.

Natural selection operates on variations within a population, which arise due to mutations and genetic recombination. Traits that improve an organism's chances of survival typically become more common in subsequent generations, resulting in the gradual evolution of species. This mechanism is a cornerstone concept in evolutionary biology, explaining the diversity of life forms on Earth and their relationship to their environments.