What does API level signify in the Android development environment?

API level in the Android development environment indicates the version of the Android platform that a particular application package targets. Each Android version is assigned a unique integer value that corresponds to its API level, which developers specify in their application’s manifest file. This API level effectively determines the set of features and behavioral rules that the application can access.

By targeting a specific API level, developers can ensure that their applications take advantage of the capabilities introduced in that version while maintaining compatibility with older versions of Android, if they choose to do so. This targeting allows developers to write applications that function correctly across multiple devices and Android versions, taking into account the various features and changes in behavior that occur between different versions.