Gradual increase refers to a slow and steady rise in a particular quantity or value over time. This concept can apply to various fields, such as economics, where prices or wages may rise gradually, or in fitness, where an individual might slowly increase their exercise intensity or duration to avoid injury. In nature, gradual increase can be observed in population growth, where species expand their numbers slowly rather than experiencing sudden spikes. This approach allows for better adaptation to environmental changes and resource availability, ensuring a more sustainable growth pattern for the species involved, such as deer or bacteria.