What does speciation refer to?

Speciation refers to the evolutionary process through which new species arise over time. This process often occurs when populations of a species become isolated from one another, leading to genetic divergence due to different environmental pressures, mutations, or natural selection. Over time, these changes can accumulate to the point where the populations can no longer interbreed, resulting in the formation of distinct species.

This concept is fundamental to understanding biodiversity, as it describes not just the existence of new species but also the mechanisms driving the complexity and richness of life on Earth. Speciation can happen in various ways, including allopatric speciation (where populations are geographically separated) and sympatric speciation (where new species evolve from a shared population without geographic separation). Such mechanisms illustrate the dynamic nature of ecosystems and the ongoing evolutionary processes that contribute to biodiversity.