Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environments, which comprise an ecosystem. The places organisms live in are called habitats. An ecological niche, in contrast, is the ecological role an organism plays within its habitat.
Ecological Niche Definition
Several branches of ecology have adopted the concept of the ecological niche.
The ecological niche describes how a species interacts within an ecosystem. The niche of a species depends on both biotic and abiotic factors, which affect the ability of a species to survive and endure.
Biotic factors affecting a species' niche include food availability and predators. Abiotic factors affecting ecological niche include temperature, landscape characteristics, soil nutrients, light and other non-living factors.
An example of an ecological niche is that of the dung beetle. The dung beetle, as its name suggests, consumes dung both in larval and adult form. Dung beetles store dung balls in burrows, and females lay eggs within them.
This allows hatched larvae immediate access to food. The dung beetle in turn influences the surrounding environment by aerating soil and rereleasing beneficial nutrients. Therefore, the dung beetle performs a unique role in its environment.
Classwork Question 1 (define): According to the reading, what is an ecologic niche?
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Classwork Question 2 (list): Provide two biotic and four abiotic factors that impact niches in ecosystems.
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Classwork Question 3 (create): From any biome that we studied this week or last, describe an animal and provide the following information:
1. Its trophic level
2. A description of its niche
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Classwork Question 4 (explain): Based the video, why should you check your hands for any cuts before handling a cane toad?
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Classwork Question 5 (describe): Describe how Cane toads have upset the Northern Australian River System Biome so completely.
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Exit Ticket (create): Based the video of the Cane toad that we watched in class, come up with your own definition of an invasive species.
