Definition
noun, plural: emigrations
(ecology) The act of leaving a habitat or place with the intent of moving to a different habitat or place
(physiology) The passage of white blood cells through the endothelium and wall of small blood vessels; diapedesis
Supplement
In ecology, emigration pertains to the leaving of a place of residence or habitat with the intent of living in another place. Emigration differs from immigration although both terms are related to migration. Migration is a wider term encompassing both. Migration is the process of movement from one region to another.
The act of leaving that region is called emigration whereas the act or process of moving to another region with the intent of residing to it is called immigration. Thus, to emigrate means to leave whereas to immigrate means to enter into another demographic area or region as the new habitat or residence.
Migratory animals are those species that exhibit migratory behavior. They may move as individuals or as groups. One of the major factors that migratory animals move from one habitat to the next is the season. For instance, a flock of birds would move from an old habitat to a new habitat when the season is unfavourable.
In physiology, migration occurs at the cellular level. For instance, leukocytes may move towards the region where they are essential for their immunologic function. This movement is formerly called diapedesis, which in particular is the emigration of leucocytes across the endothelium.
See also:
- Density dependent factor (ecology)
- population (ecology)
Related term(s):
- Emigration theory (physiology)
Related form(s):
- emigrate (verb, to leave with the intent to move to another place, habitat or residence)
