The change in the inherited characteristics of biological populations over successive generations is called

The change in inherited characteristics of biological populations over successive generations is called evolution. Evolution is a fundamental concept in biology and explains how species adapt to their environments over time through mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow. The theory of evolution, first articulated by Charles Darwin, posits that organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more than those that are less well adapted. This process leads to the gradual change in the traits of populations, ultimately leading to the emergence of new species. Understanding evolution is critical to various fields, including ecology, genetics, and conservation biology.