Evolution is the process through which species of organisms change over time through variations and adaptations. This process is driven by mechanisms such as natural selection, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to future generations. Over millions of years, these small changes can accumulate, leading to the emergence of new species, a process known as speciation. The theory of evolution, first comprehensively formulated by Charles Darwin, provides a framework for understanding the diversity of life on Earth and how all living organisms are interconnected through a common ancestry.