Ecosystem processes — A/L Biology

A. Niche and Habitat Definition: A niche is the specific role or position that an organism occupies within an ecosystem, including its interactions with biotic and abiotic factors. Habitat is the physical environment where an organism lives. Explanation: The niche concept describes how an organism fits into its environment - what it eats, where it lives, how it reproduces, and how it interacts with other species. It's like an organism's 'profession' in the ecosystem. The habitat is simply the 'address' or physical location where the organism resides. Understanding niche helps explain why different species can coexist in the same habitat by occupying different ecological roles. This concept is crucial for understanding species distribution and competition. Think of it as: Think of a habitat as a large office building (the physical space), while a niche is like a specific job position within that building - accountant, receptionist, manager - each with different responsibilities and interactions.