Final answer:
Local adaptation due to divergent selection can lead to ecological speciation, often through allopatric speciation or adaptive radiation, exemplified by species like the Hawaiian honeycreepers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The evolution of local adaptation as a result of divergent selection can lead to ecological speciation. This process can occur through mechanisms like allopatric speciation, where evolution of a new species happens due to geographical separation from the rest of the species, and adaptive radiation, where a single species gives rise to multiple new species due to dispersal and finding distinct ecological niches. A prime example of adaptive radiation can be seen in the Hawaiian honeycreepers, where one species evolved into multiple species due to geographical isolation on the Hawaiian Islands.