selective pressure

Selective pressure refers to environmental factors that influence which individuals in a population are more likely to survive and reproduce. These pressures, such as predators, climate, or availability of food, "select" for certain traits that better suit the environment. Over time, this leads to the increased prevalence of those advantageous traits within the population. Essentially, selective pressure shapes how species evolve by favoring individuals with characteristics that improve their chances of survival in specific conditions.