Final answer:
Macroevolution is the term used to describe the broad patterns of evolution that occur at or above the level of species over geologic time. It includes the process of speciation and divergence of species from a common ancestor, and it's studied using evidence like the fossil record and phylogenetic trees.
Step-by-step explanation:
The broad pattern of evolution above the species level is known as macroevolution. Macroevolution refers to evolutionary changes that occur at or above the level of the species, typically over many generations, and is evidenced by the fossil record. It encompasses large-scale changes in biological traits resulting in different species and the development of new species through the process of speciation. An example of macroevolution is the divergence of mammals after the extinction of dinosaurs, leading to the wide array of mammalian species we see today. This level of evolution contrasts with microevolution, where changes occur within a species or a population's genetic structure. The Modern Synthesis is the current overarching evolutionary paradigm that incorporates both microevolution and macroevolution to explain the diversity of life on Earth.
Macroevolutionary patterns can include divergent evolution, where two species evolve in different directions from a common ancestor. Biologists utilize phylogenetic trees to illustrate evolutionary relationships among organisms, reflecting macroevolutionary changes over time. The study of these patterns is interconnected with various fields of biology, such as population genetics, molecular biology, and botany, each looking at evolution from different scopes but ultimately contributing to our understanding of life's history.