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Niche Construction

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Discussion

This definition can only be understood under the assumption that evolution itself is a fauceir and behaves like a fauceir. As such evolution submits itself to the fauceir rules in general and rules of fauceir evolution in particular.

In the book Niche Construction: The Neglected Process in Evolution by Odling-Smee, Laland, Feldman a comprehensive overview of niche construction is given [Error: Wrong macro arguments: "http://zotero.org/users/438144/items/7NJ4SSM9" for macro 'ref' (maybe wrong macro tag syntax?)] . The book even ventures to to explain niche construction as a universal process of evolution, which comes as no surprise as the authors manage to develop the principle of niche construction to an ever new level of abstraction at which a wider perspective might be visible. From fauceir perspective , in fact niche construction plays an essential role to create new fauceirs from which natural selection would take advantage.

As niche construction is a universal process in evolution, it comes as no suprise that its function can be detected at various levels of evolution. For instance also at the evolution of cognition and itellectual abilities [Error: Wrong macro arguments: "http://zotero.org/users/438144/items/SEJ2XXFF" for macro 'ref' (maybe wrong macro tag syntax?)] .

Examples

  • The textbook example is the beaver that builds dams to significantly change the environment.
  • The whole evolution on earth can be viewed as a niche construction. This is true not only since humans began to changed the environment and make it more inhabitable for its own species. Long before humans came into existence life on earth changed the environment, but these changes happened slower than now.
  • The most fervent examples of niche construction can be observed at the social level. Different social groups tend to change social rules, so that they eventually profit the most. All politics is just about construction and extension of social niches.
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(c) Mato Nagel, Weißwasser 2004-2024, Disclaimer