Question map
The ecological niche of an organism relates to
Explanation
An ecological niche is defined as the unique functional role or 'occupation' of a species within its community [2]. It encompasses the total set of biological, physical, and chemical factors required for a species to survive and reproduce [2]. Crucially, a niche involves the way a species interacts with its environment and other organisms, including its trophic role and behavioral dimensions [1]. While a habitat is simply the physical place where an organism lives, the niche describes the interrelationship of a species with all biotic and abiotic factors affecting it. This includes interactions such as competition and predation, which define the 'realized niche'—the actual conditions used by an organism after accounting for these interactions [3]. Therefore, the niche fundamentally relates to an organism's interaction with all other organisms and its environment to sustain its life form [1].
Sources
- [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY > Niche > p. 12
- [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 1: Ecology > Niche > p. 8
- [3] https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/ecology-ap/community-ecology/a/niches-competition