What do fitness landscapes depict in the context of evolution?

Fitness landscapes are graphical representations that illustrate the relationship between genetic variations (or genotypes) and the fitness (reproductive success) of those variations within specific environments. This concept is fundamental in evolutionary biology as it helps visualize how different genotypes perform in terms of survival and reproduction in a given context.

In a fitness landscape, each genotype is represented as a point in a multi-dimensional space, and the height of the landscape at that point indicates the fitness associated with that genotype. Peaks represent genotypes with high fitness, while valleys correspond to low fitness. As environmental conditions change, the landscape can shift, meaning that what was once a high-fitness genotype may become less advantageous, illustrating the dynamic nature of evolution.

Understanding fitness landscapes allows researchers to analyze evolutionary processes like adaptation and speciation, as they depict how populations might move towards areas of greater fitness in response to environmental pressures. Hence, this choice accurately reflects the central theme of fitness landscapes in evolutionary theory.