Figure 1.

A simplified diagram of processes leading to innovation. An innovation is the result of inventions and their recombination that generates a novelty that spreads and evolves in conjunction with selective and stochastic effects. As emphasized by papers in this theme issue, the environment influences the emergence of innovations, which, in turn, impact the environment. Note that the conventional notion of biological innovation (as opposed to cultural and technological) downplays the role of sensory and cognitive processes in the generation, filtering and horizontal spread of information (and generation of possible novelties) among individuals. See main text for discussion.