Kolonisations

Kolonisations refers to the process by which a group or species establishes a lasting presence in a location beyond its original home. The term is used in political history to describe imperial expansion and in biology and ecology to describe the establishment of populations in new habitats.

In historical contexts, kolonisation describes empires acquiring territories, founding settlements, and imposing governance, economy, and culture on others. It includes settler kolonisation and exploitation-driven forms, with profound consequences for indigenous peoples and environments. From the 15th to the 20th century European powers built vast empires, altering borders and global trade, often through force. The legacies are debated and continue to shape development, memory, and inequalities; decolonisation movements after World War II dismantled most formal empires, though uneven effects persist.

In biology, kolonisation describes how organisms spread to and establish in new habitats. Stages typically include arrival, establishment, and expansion, with success dependent on dispersal mechanisms, environmental suitability, and interactions with resident communities. Outcomes range from stable populations and ecological change to invasive dynamics. In microbiology, kolonisation may occur on host tissues without disease, while pathogenic kolonisation can progress to infection under favourable conditions.