MA Bio: 4.2 Niches and Community Interactions

define niche

A niche describes not only what an organism does, but also how it interacts with biotic and abiotic factors in the environment. "an animals occupation"

What is a niche?

A niche is the range of physical and biological conditions in which a species lives and the way the species obtains what it needs to survive and reproduce.

What are the biological aspects of the niche? Give examples!

Biological aspects of an organism's niche involve the biotic factors it requires for survival. When and how it reproduces, the food it eats, and the way in which it obtains that food are all examples of biological aspects of an organisms' niche.

How does competition shape communities?

By causing species to divide resources, competition helps determine the number and the kinds of species in a community and the niche each species occupies.

define Tolerance

Every species has its own range of tolerance, which is the ability to survive and reproduce under a range of environmental circumstances.

What are the physical aspects of the niche? Give examples!

Part of an organisms' niche involves the abiotic factors it requires for survival. Most amphibians, for example, lose and absorb water through their skin, so they must live in moist places. If an area is too hot and dry, or too cold for too long most amphibians cannot survive.

What does the competitive exclusion principle state?

The competitive exclusion principle states that no two species can occupy exactly the same niche in exactly the same habitat at exactly the same time.

Define Resource and give an example

The term resource can refer to any necessity of life, such as water, nutrients, light, food, or space. For plants resources can include sunlight, water and soil nutrients- all of which is essential to survival. For animals resources can include nesting, space, shelter, types of food, and places to feed.

Why is understanding a niche important?

Understanding niches is important to understanding how organism interact to form a community.

What is competition that occurs among members of different species?

interspecific competition

What is competition that occurs among members of the same species?

intraspecific competition

keystone species

sometimes changes in a population of a single species can cause dramatic changes in the structure of a community.

Habitat

the general place where an organism lives.

Fill in the blank: Organisms occupy different places in part because each species has a range of conditions under which it can grow. These conditions help define ________________________.

where and how an organism lives.