The term describes the widespread transfer of plants, animals, and diseases that accompanied European colonization of the Americas, Australia, and other regions. This biological exchange had profound effects on the environments of the colonized territories. For example, the introduction of non-native species often outcompeted or decimated indigenous flora and fauna, altering ecosystems and landscapes significantly. This process was not merely accidental; it was a direct consequence of European expansion and their deliberate introduction of familiar species to new environments.
This environmental transformation facilitated European settlement and agricultural practices, often at the expense of native populations. The introduction of livestock, like cattle and pigs, reshaped landscapes and disrupted indigenous agriculture. Disease transmission, often unintentional, decimated native populations, weakening their resistance to colonization. Understanding this ecological dimension is crucial for comprehending the totality of European dominance and the resulting social, economic, and political structures established during this era.
