Which one of the following terms describes not only the physical space occupied by an organism, but also its functional role in the community of organism?

The term 'ecological niche' describes both the physical space occupied by an organism and its functional role within a community [3]. While a habitat is often described as the 'address' or physical environment where an organism lives [4], the niche is considered its 'profession' or occupation [1]. It encompasses the unique functional role of a species, including how it responds to resource distribution, competitors, and predators [3]. A niche is defined by the interrelationship of a species with all biotic and abiotic factors affecting it, such as its trophic position and reproductive requirements [1]. In contrast, an ecotone is a transition zone between ecosystems [1], and a home range is the broader area an animal traverses for daily activities [1]. Therefore, the niche is the most comprehensive term for an organism's specific role and spatial requirements [3].

Sources

1. [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY > Niche > p. 12
2. [3] http://www.kaliganjgovtcollege.ac.in/studyMaterial/0453Ecotone-niche.pdf
3. [4] https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/srsec314newe/lesson-25.pdf