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| ==Etymology== | | ==Etymology== |
| Medieval [[Latin]] homogeneus, homogenus, from [[Greek]] homogenēs, from hom- + genos kind | | Medieval [[Latin]] homogeneus, homogenus, from [[Greek]] homogenēs, from hom- + genos kind |
− | *Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 1641] | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 1641] |
| ==Definitions== | | ==Definitions== |
| *1 : of the same or a similar kind or [[nature]] | | *1 : of the same or a similar kind or [[nature]] |
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| * ''Species migration'' | | * ''Species migration'' |
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− | [[Species]] naturally migrate and expand their ranges, utilising new [[habitats]] and [[resources]], e.g. the cattle egret. These natural invasions, an incursion in the [[absence]] of anthropogenic influences, occur “when an intervening barrier is removed, or through the development of biotic or abiotic transportation [[mechanisms]], able to overcome the barrier in question”. Introductions, or human-mediated invasions, have in the [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_Century last century] become more frequent. It is estimated that on an average day more than 3,000 species alone are in transit aboard ocean-going vessels. | + | [[Species]] naturally migrate and expand their ranges, utilising new [[habitats]] and [[resources]], e.g. the cattle egret. These natural invasions, an incursion in the [[absence]] of anthropogenic influences, occur “when an intervening barrier is removed, or through the development of biotic or abiotic transportation [[mechanisms]], able to overcome the barrier in question”. Introductions, or human-mediated invasions, have in the [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_Century last century] become more frequent. It is estimated that on an average day more than 3,000 species alone are in transit aboard ocean-going vessels. |
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| Using species richness as the [[unit]] for which to assess global homogeneity, it appears that anthropogenic [[assistance]] in [[alien]] [[species]] establishment has done much to reduce the [[number]] of endemic species, especially on remote islands. Some ‘species-poor’ habitats may, however, benefit in [[diversity]] if an invader can occupy an empty niche. Arguably, that [[environment]] becomes more diverse, equally it has also “become more similar to the rest of the world”, though ecological [[interactions]] between the invaders and the natives are likely to be [[unique]]. Indeed, many species are so well naturalised that they are considered native, yet they were originally introduced; with the best examples probably being the [[Roman]] and [[Norman]] introduction of the hare and the rabbit respectively to Britain. | | Using species richness as the [[unit]] for which to assess global homogeneity, it appears that anthropogenic [[assistance]] in [[alien]] [[species]] establishment has done much to reduce the [[number]] of endemic species, especially on remote islands. Some ‘species-poor’ habitats may, however, benefit in [[diversity]] if an invader can occupy an empty niche. Arguably, that [[environment]] becomes more diverse, equally it has also “become more similar to the rest of the world”, though ecological [[interactions]] between the invaders and the natives are likely to be [[unique]]. Indeed, many species are so well naturalised that they are considered native, yet they were originally introduced; with the best examples probably being the [[Roman]] and [[Norman]] introduction of the hare and the rabbit respectively to Britain. |
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− | Introduction of non-endemic species and subsequent eradication of species can happen remarkably fast; [[evolutionary]] tempo is, however, slow and “succession of rapid [[change]] [will] result in a great impoverishment”. That impoverishment will indeed equate in a world that is more similar, as there will simply be less species to formulate [[difference]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homogeneity_%28ecology%29] | + | Introduction of non-endemic species and subsequent eradication of species can happen remarkably fast; [[evolutionary]] tempo is, however, slow and “succession of rapid [[change]] [will] result in a great impoverishment”. That impoverishment will indeed equate in a world that is more similar, as there will simply be less species to formulate [[difference]]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homogeneity_%28ecology%29] |
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| [[Category: Ecology]] | | [[Category: Ecology]] |
| [[Category: General Reference]] | | [[Category: General Reference]] |