Which one of the following term describes not only the physical space occupied by an organism, but also its functional role in the community of organisms?

Key Points

• An ecological niche refers to the role and position a species has in its environment, how it meets its needs for food and shelter, how it survives, and how it reproduces.
• A niche includes all of the species' interactions with the biotic and abiotic factors of its environment.
• The concept of ecological niche helps in understanding the complexity of ecosystems and the diversity of species.
• It is a critical concept in ecology and conservation biology, aiding in the understanding of species distribution and the impact of environmental changes on biodiversity.

Additional Information

• Ecotone
  • An ecotone is a transition area between two biological communities where two communities meet and integrate.
  • It can be a gradual or sharp transition and is characterized by a greater species diversity and biological density than the neighboring communities.
• Habitat
  • A habitat is the natural home or environment of an organism, providing the necessary conditions for life and growth.
  • It includes both biotic and abiotic factors like climate, soil, water, and availability of food.
• Home Range
  • A home range is an area in which an animal lives and moves on a periodic basis.
  • It is not necessarily defended like a territory and can overlap with the home ranges of other individuals.