What is the term for the proportion of observed variation in a trait that can be inherited due to genetic factors?

Heritability refers specifically to the proportion of observed variation in a trait within a population that can be attributed to genetic differences among individuals. This concept is crucial in animal breeding and genetics, as it helps determine how likely it is that a trait will be passed from parents to offspring. A high heritability indicates that genetics play a significant role in the variation of that trait, making it more predictable in future generations.

By contrast, genetic drift pertains to random changes in the allele frequencies in a population, especially in small populations, which do not necessarily have any connection to the inheritance of traits. Selection is a process through which certain traits become more common in a population due to the advantages they confer for survival and reproduction. Adaptation refers to the process where populations become better suited to their environment over generations, largely as a result of natural selection, but does not specifically measure the genetic contribution of traits.