Niche Meaning in Ecology – Ecological Niche
Niche in ecology describes the role or position of an organism in its particular ecosystem. The term “Niche” was coined by Joseph Grinnell in 1917 to describe the ultimate distributional unit for organisms based on their instincts and structure. Two species cannot coexist in the same niche for long. In simpler terms, niche refers to a species’ need to survive in a particular environment and its impact on that environment.
The niche includes a range of conditions, resources, and interactions that define the organism’s existence and influence its survival and reproduction. The niche of a species helps ecologists understand its interactions with other species and its impact on the ecosystem as a whole.
Ecological Niche
Niche in ecology stands for an organism’s specific role or position within its ecosystem. The niche includes the animal’s habitat, interactions with other organisms, and its contribution to ecosystem function and stability. Understanding the niche types and examples helps us learn how different organisms interact with their environment and how ecological communities are structured. This article will cover the niche meaning, types, and examples of niches in detail.
Table of Content
- Niche Meaning in Ecology – Ecological Niche
- Habitat vs Niche
- Types of Niche
- Fundamental Niche
- Realized Niche
- Habitat or Spatial Niche
- Trophic Niche
- Multifactor or Hypervolume Niche
- Examples of Niche
- Segregation of Ecological Niche
Contact Us