What is the general term for the process by which species adapt to their environment over time?

The process by which species adapt to their environment over time is best described by the term evolution. Evolution encompasses the gradual change in species over generations as they undergo alterations in their genetic makeup in response to environmental pressures. This process can result in adaptations, which are specific traits that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

While adaptation itself refers specifically to the traits that improve fitness in a particular environment, evolution is the broader term that captures the entire process of change. It includes not only the development of these adaptations but also the mechanisms of genetic variation, natural selection, and speciation. Mutation and inheritance are also important concepts related to evolution, as they contribute to the variation upon which natural selection acts, but they are not comprehensive enough on their own to describe the overall process of adaptation across generations.