Habitats, Niches, and Interactions

Habitat

The natural home or environment of an organism.

Niche

The position or role an organism has within its habitat.

Competition

Vying for the same resources or necessities of life, such as water, shelter, food, mate, or space.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

No two species can occupy the same niche in the same habitat at the same time.

Predation

When one organism (the predator) captures and eats another organism (the prey).

Symbiosis

When two species live closely together in one of three ways: mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism.

Mutualism

A type of symbiosis where both organisms benefit.

Commensalism

A type of symbiosis where one organism benefits without causing benefit or harm to the other.

Parasitism

A type of symbiosis where one organism benefits while harming the other.