Adaptive radiation plays a significant role in evolution as it describes how a single ancestral species diversifies into various forms to occupy different ecological niches. This process typically occurs when a species colonizes a new environment with multiple unoccupied habitats or in response to changes in environmental pressures. Each new species adapts to its specific conditions, resulting in increased biodiversity. A classic example is Darwin's finches, which evolved distinct beak shapes to exploit different food sources on the Galápagos Islands. This phenomenon illustrates how evolution can lead to a wide array of adaptations and species diversity.