Home Forum Dictionary Articles Tutorials Books Directory Share your work


Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Dictionary » E » Ecological niche

Ecological niche

Definition

noun, plural: ecological niches

The ecological role and space that an organism fills in an ecosystem.


Supplement

The ecological niche involves both the place where an organism lives and the roles that an organism does in its habitat. For example, the ecological niche of a sunflower growing in the backyard includes absorbing light, water and nutrients (for photosynthesis), providing shelter and food for other organisms (e.g. bees, ants, etc.), and giving off oxygen into the atmosphere.


Word origin: ecological + niche.

See also: realized niche, fundamental niche.


Please contribute to this project, if you have more information about this term feel free to edit this page



Results from our forum


Biochemical question?

... "less evolved"? Each organism is adapted to fit a different ecological niche. The rabbit seems to do just as well in its niche as the horse does in its niche.

See entire post
by alextemplet
Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:06 am
 
Forum: Genetics
Topic: Biochemical question?
Replies: 3
Views: 600

Why aren't bacteria taking over the world?

... one another, as well as against other microorganisms living in the same ecological niche. For example, many molds secrete substances that kill or inhibit bacterial growth. And ...

See entire post
by biohazard
Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:37 am
 
Forum: Microbiology
Topic: Why aren't bacteria taking over the world?
Replies: 15
Views: 2650

Community vs. Population

... A community is composed of two or more species that have definitive ecological niche (or role) specific in the area where they live. A population of Panthera leo or lions ...

See entire post
by mcar
Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:05 pm
 
Forum: Ecology
Topic: Community vs. Population
Replies: 3
Views: 6540

Evolution

... evolve into humans...? Highly unlikely since humans already occupy that ecological niche. If apes started living in plains, they might adapt to it differently from how our human ...

See entire post
by alextemplet
Thu Dec 20, 2007 5:03 pm
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Evolution
Replies: 36
Views: 5538

Mammals do not have diversity interms of flying species...

... defining advanced in terms of being able to survive in a particular ecological niche, then yes all organisms are equally advanced (at least until they become extinct!). However, ...

See entire post
by alextemplet
Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:23 am
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Mammals do not have diversity interms of flying species...
Replies: 16
Views: 3714
View all matching forum results

This page was last modified 01:29, 7 February 2009. This page has been accessed 7,891 times. 
What links here | Related changes | Permanent link