This achievement standard involves the description of processes and patterns of evolution.

Processes of evolution are limited to

• ways in which speciation occurs (sympatric, allopatric)
• reproductive isolating mechanisms that contribute to speciation (geographical, temporal, ecological, behavioural, structural barriers, polyploidy)
• the role of natural selection.

Patterns of evolution will be selected from: convergent evolution, divergent evolution (including adaptive radiation), co-evolution, punctuated equilibrium, gradualism.