Every species that forms a community occupies a specific ecological niche. The term “niche” describes the interactions of a species with other species in its ecosystem, including competition, parasitism, mutualism, and predation. The niche of a species is also determined by several abiotic elements, such as soil composition and climate.
Table of Contents
- Niche Meaning
- Niche Definition
- Types of Niches
- Fundamental Niche and Realised Niche
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Niche Meaning
The function an organism or group performs within its community or environment is referred to as its niche. It includes all interactions the organism (or population) has with its surroundings and other organisms and populations in that environment.
A niche can be considered as a multidimensional metric or range of circumstances in which the organism functions and engages in interactions with other elements of its environment. For example, a particular species might be able to endure only a narrow range of temperatures. Another individual might be able to survive only in a specific altitude range.
An organism may find it advantageous to occupy an extremely narrow niche because doing so will reduce interspecific competition. The organism becomes highly vulnerable to population decline or extinction if it cannot adjust to the change. These organisms are referred to as “niche specialists”.
As a result, many species—referred to as niche generalists—have acquired the capacity to flourish in diverse environments while using a wide range of resources. It should be noted that there is a continuum in which specialised and generalist species can be found.
Niche vs Habitat
In ecology, a habitat is a location where a biological population or an organism would typically live, reside, or exist. It could be a desert, forest, river, or mountain. While a habitat is a physical location, a species niche refers to its interaction with ecosystem elements. An organism’s niche reveals how it functions and survives in its surroundings. As a result, a habitat may have numerous niches and be home to various species at once.
Principle of Competitive Exclusion
According to the competitive exclusion principle, two species cannot coexist peacefully in the same habitat niche. This is because species with similar niches and demands would fight over similar resources.
Two distinct single-celled organisms, Paramecium caudatum and Paramecium aurelia, are well-known illustrations of the competitive exclusion principle. Both species flourish when raised separately in a lab. However, when they are grown in the same test tube (environment) with a constant amount of nutrition, none develops well. Eventually, P. aurelia outcompetes P. caudatum for food, which results in the extinction of P. caudatum.
Niche Examples
Pandas
Ailuropoda melanoleuca, the giant panda bear, is a niche specialist. Their diet is highly restricted, consisting almost entirely of bamboo. Due to their extreme specialisation, pandas are particularly vulnerable to the effects of human intervention, and as a result, their populations have seen a sharp decline.
Coyotes
Canis latrans or coyotes are effective niche generalists. These omnivorous opportunists, originally from deserts, can adapt to nearly all habitats at various successional stages and elevations up to about 9800 ft. Coyote populations are constantly growing, frequently to the expense of other species whose niche they exploit, creating competition. This is because coyotes can quickly modify their niche to environmental changes.
Niche Definition
A niche is generally referred to as a hole, hollow, or recess, particularly one in a wall. However, a niche in biology and ecology can refer to any of the following:
- An organism’s unique habitat.
- A species’ or organism’s functions within an ecosystem.
- The interactions between a species and all the biotic and abiotic elements that impact it.
Types of Niches
- The niche a species occupies when there is no competition is referred to as a fundamental niche. On the other hand, a realised niche is a niche that a species fills due to pressures, such as introducing a rival species to its habitat.
- When two species utilise the same resources or additional environmental factors, this is referred to as niche overlap. In many cases, niches only partially overlap because resources are shared.
- A vacant niche has not yet been occupied in an ecosystem. However, the concept of a vacant niche is still up for discussion. However, ecological disruptions (such as droughts and wildfires) and evolutionary events are considered to be the root causes of vacant niches.
Fundamental Niche and Realised Niche
Fundamental Niche
The entire set of biotic components and environmental parameters an organism may use and endure is referred to as its fundamental niche, also known as the pre-competitive niche. Competition, predation, and the availability of resources are a few of the population-controlling factors.
For instance, the male red-winged blackbird occupies the finest space in the wetlands in the early spring. As the season progresses, the more aggressive tri-colour blackbirds move into the marshes, swooping in to claim the prime habitat. Therefore, the wetlands serve as a fundamental niche for male red-winged blackbirds before the appearance of the tri-colour blackbird.
Realised Niche
The variety of environmental situations in which a species truly survives is known as the realised niche or post-competitive niche. It is regarded as a subset of the fundamental niche and is usually smaller than the fundamental niche of the species. The species in the fundamental niche is compelled to relocate into a constrained niche known as the realised niche as a result of several interactions and stress from the environment.
In North America, for example, wolves were widespread and successfully competed with coyotes for nutrition and habitat. With the entrance of European immigrants on the continent, hunting decreased the wolf population, allowing coyotes to enjoy various habitats.
Related Links:
- Ecological Niche – Definition and Types
- Difference between “Habitat” and “Niche”
- Flashcards for NEET Biology – Ecosystem
Main Page: BYJU’S NEET
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