Question

What is adaptive radiation?

Answer 1

Adaptive radiation describes the process of one species diversifying to fill available niches. Leads to more diversity.

Explanation:

Adaptive radiation is the process of a species diversifying to fill new or available niches. One example of when adaptive radiation is likely to occur is when a population is split from the rest during the formation of an island. The new environment will have new niches and selective pressures. As such, the population will adapt and evolve for the new selective pressures. If enough time passes and enough changes occur between new populations, adaptive radiation leads to speciation and greater biodiversity.