Artificial selection is a process where humans intentionally breed plants or animals for specific traits. This practice allows for the enhancement of desirable characteristics, such as size, color, or yield. For example, farmers may select the largest fruits from a crop to produce the next generation, leading to larger harvests over time. This method contrasts with natural selection, where environmental factors determine which individuals survive and reproduce. Through artificial selection, humans can accelerate the evolution of species, creating variations that may not occur naturally. This technique is commonly used in agriculture and animal husbandry to improve food production and livestock traits.