What is Ecological Niche _ It’s Meaning and Definition The role or function of an organism.
What is Ecological Niche _ It’s Meaning and Definition The role or function of an organism.
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Ecological Niche: Meaning, Definition, and Role of an Organism
What is an Ecological Niche?
An ecological niche refers to the role, position, and function of an organism within its environment. It includes how an organism interacts with its surroundings, resources, competitors, and predators to survive and reproduce.
Definition of Ecological Niche
“An ecological niche is the functional role an organism plays in its ecosystem, including its habitat, food sources, and interactions with other species.”
G.E. Hutchinson (1957) defined a niche as “the sum of all environmental factors influencing an organism and its survival strategies.”
Components of an Ecological Niche
An organism’s niche includes:
Habitat – The physical location where it lives.
Food Source – What it eats and how it obtains food.
Behavior – Daily activities, mating habits, and movement.
Interactions – Relationships with predators, prey, and competitors.
Types of Ecological Niches
Fundamental Niche – The full range of environmental conditions an organism can potentially occupy.
Realized Niche – The actual niche an organism occupies due to competition and other environmental pressures.
Example of Ecological Niches
A Lion (Panthera leo) – Its niche is top predator in the grasslands, hunting herbivores like zebras.
A Woodpecker – Its niche involves pecking tree bark to find insects.
A Cactus – It thrives in desert ecosystems, storing water in arid conditions.
Why is Ecological Niche Important?
Maintains ecosystem balance
Reduces competition
Supports biodiversity
Every organism has a unique niche, ensuring that ecosystems function efficiently without too much competition for the same resources.
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