The preeminent scientific principle underlying evolution is natural selection. This process, first articulated by Charles Darwin, posits that organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common within a population, leading to evolutionary change. Natural selection drives the adaptation of species to their environments and explains the diversity of life on Earth. Understanding this principle is crucial for studying evolutionary biology, ecology, and the mechanisms that govern species interactions and adaptations.