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As used in the text, what does the word “assume” most nearly mean?
The concept of an ecological niche is often misunderstood. It refers not just to the physical space an organism inhabits, but to the specific role it plays within its ecosystem—its diet, its reproductive schedule, and its interactions with other species. When a non-native species is introduced, it may thrive if it can find an unoccupied niche. In other cases, the newcomer may be so effective at gathering resources that it can · *assume · * the niche once held by a native species, often to the detriment of the local ecosystem.