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Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame ==Etymology== Medieval Latin homogeneus, homogenus, from Greek homogenēs, from hom- + genos kind ...'
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==Etymology==
Medieval [[Latin]] homogeneus, homogenus, from [[Greek]] homogenēs, from hom- + genos kind
*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 1641]
==Definitions==
*1 : of the same or a similar kind or [[nature]]
*2 : of [[uniform]] [[structure]] or composition throughout <a culturally homogeneous [[neighborhood]]>
*3 : having the property that if each variable is replaced by a constant times that [[variable]] the constant can be factored out : having each term of the same [[degree]] if all variables are considered <a homogeneous [[equation]]>
==Description==
In [[ecological]] terms it can also be [[expressed]] as a lack of, or reduction in [[biodiversity]]. Species richness is the [[fundamental]] [[unit]] in which to assess the '''homogeneity''' of an [[environment]]. Therefore, any reduction in species richness, especially endemic species, could be argued as advocating the production of a homogenous environment.
* ''Monocultures''
Homogeneity in [[agriculture]] and forestry; in particular, industrial agriculture and forestry use a [[limited]] number of species. About 7,000 plants (2.6% of all plant species) have been collected or cultivated for [[human]] consumption. Of these, a mere 200 have been domesticated and only a dozen contribute about 75% of the global intake of plant-derived calories.
95% of world consumption of [[protein]] derives from a few domesticated species, ie poultry, cattle and pigs. There are about 1,000 commercial fish species, but in aquaculture fewer than 10 species dominate global production. Human food production therefore rests on the tips of pyramids of biodiversity, leaving the [[majority]] of species not utilised and not domesticated.
* ''Species migration''
[[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.
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.
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]
[[Category: Ecology]]
[[Category: General Reference]]
==Etymology==
Medieval [[Latin]] homogeneus, homogenus, from [[Greek]] homogenēs, from hom- + genos kind
*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 1641]
==Definitions==
*1 : of the same or a similar kind or [[nature]]
*2 : of [[uniform]] [[structure]] or composition throughout <a culturally homogeneous [[neighborhood]]>
*3 : having the property that if each variable is replaced by a constant times that [[variable]] the constant can be factored out : having each term of the same [[degree]] if all variables are considered <a homogeneous [[equation]]>
==Description==
In [[ecological]] terms it can also be [[expressed]] as a lack of, or reduction in [[biodiversity]]. Species richness is the [[fundamental]] [[unit]] in which to assess the '''homogeneity''' of an [[environment]]. Therefore, any reduction in species richness, especially endemic species, could be argued as advocating the production of a homogenous environment.
* ''Monocultures''
Homogeneity in [[agriculture]] and forestry; in particular, industrial agriculture and forestry use a [[limited]] number of species. About 7,000 plants (2.6% of all plant species) have been collected or cultivated for [[human]] consumption. Of these, a mere 200 have been domesticated and only a dozen contribute about 75% of the global intake of plant-derived calories.
95% of world consumption of [[protein]] derives from a few domesticated species, ie poultry, cattle and pigs. There are about 1,000 commercial fish species, but in aquaculture fewer than 10 species dominate global production. Human food production therefore rests on the tips of pyramids of biodiversity, leaving the [[majority]] of species not utilised and not domesticated.
* ''Species migration''
[[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.
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.
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]
[[Category: Ecology]]
[[Category: General Reference]]