What concept does punctuated equilibrium propose?

Punctuated equilibrium is a significant concept in evolutionary biology proposed by paleontologists Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould. It suggests that evolutionary change does not occur uniformly or at a constant rate, which counters the traditional view that evolution is a slow and gradual process.

The core idea of punctuated equilibrium is that species experience long periods of relative stability or stasis, during which little evolutionary change occurs. However, these periods of stasis are interrupted by relatively short bursts of rapid evolutionary change, typically associated with speciation events. This model helps explain the patterns observed in the fossil record, where species appear suddenly and remain unchanged for extended periods, rather than showing a continuous and gradual transition.

This concept highlights the dynamic nature of evolution as it recognizes that the evolutionary process may be more episodic than consistent, responding to environmental changes or other factors that may lead to rapid adaptations or the emergence of new species.