What is the gradual change over long periods of time?

The gradual change over long periods of time is often referred to as "evolution" in a biological context, where species undergo changes in their genetic makeup and characteristics through natural selection and adaptation. In a broader sense, this concept can apply to various fields, such as geology and climate, where slow processes like erosion, plate tectonics, and climate shifts shape landscapes and ecosystems over millennia. This slow transformation can lead to significant differences in the structure and function of systems over time.