Niche Construction

Niche construction is the process by which organisms actively shape and modify their environments, influencing their own evolution and that of other species. For example, beavers build dams that create ponds, altering the habitat for themselves and many other organisms. This concept highlights the idea that living beings don’t just adapt to their surroundings; they also change them, which can lead to new selection pressures and evolutionary pathways. In essence, niche construction emphasizes the dynamic interplay between organisms and their environments in the evolutionary process.