In ecology, a niche refers to the specific role or function that an organism or species plays within its ecosystem. It includes the physical and biological conditions in which a species lives and the way it interacts with other organisms and the environment. Understanding the concept of niche is crucial for understanding how different species coexist and interact within an ecosystem.
Components of a Niche
A niche can be broken down into two main components:
Functional Niche: This refers to the specific interactions and relationships that a species has with other organisms within its ecosystem. It encompasses the species' feeding habits, behavior, and its role in the flow of energy and nutrients within the ecosystem.
Niche Differentiation
When multiple species coexist within the same ecosystem, they often have distinct niches to minimize competition for resources. This is known as niche differentiation, where species evolve to occupy different ecological niches to reduce competition and maximize their chances of survival.
Study Guide
To study the concept of niche in ecology, consider the following key points:
Understand the difference between environmental niche and functional niche.
Explore examples of niche differentiation in different ecosystems and how it contributes to biodiversity.
Examine case studies or research articles that demonstrate how human activities can impact the niches of various species.
Discuss the concept of fundamental niche versus realized niche, and how biotic and abiotic factors can influence a species' niche.
Consider the concept of niche overlap and how it can lead to competition or coexistence among species.
Energy - A. Energy is involved in all physical and chemical processes. It is conserved, and can be transformed from one form to another and into work. At the atomic and nuclear levels energy is not continuous but exists in discrete amounts. Energy and mass are related through Einstein's equation E=mc 2 . B. The properties of atomic nuclei are responsible for energy-related phenomena such as radioactivity, fission and fusion. C. Changes in entropy and energy that accompany chemical reactions influence reaction paths. Chemical reactions result in the release or absorption of energy. D. The theory of electromagnetism explains that electricity and magnetism are closely related. Electric charges are the source of electric fields. Moving charges generate magnetic fields. E. Waves are the propagation of a disturbance. They transport energy and momentum but do not transport matter.
Relate temperature to the average molecular kinetic energy.