Ecological Niches

What is an ecological niche?

The role of a species within its ecosystem, including what it eats and the abiotic and biotic factors acting on it.

What can’t two species fill?

The same niche within a habitat

How is food obtained by organisms in relation to ecological niches?

Food is obtained through different modes, which minimizes competition.

What must organisms do to carry out their role in an ecosystem?

Organisms must adapt their behavior and physical characteristics.

What is resource partitioning?

It's the process where species occupying an ecological niche show adaptations to avoid competition.

What are obligate aerobes?

Organisms that require a continuous oxygen supply and rely on aerobic respiration.

What environments do obligate aerobes live in?

Obligate aerobes live in oxic environments.

What are some examples of obligate aerobes?

All animals and plants.

What are obligate anaerobes?

Organisms that are killed by oxygen and only carry out anaerobic respiration.

In what environments do obligate anaerobes live?

Obligate anaerobes live in anoxic environments.

What is an example of an obligate anaerobe?

Clostridium tetani.

What are facultative anaerobes?

Organisms that grow better with oxygen but can live without it.

In what environments do facultative anaerobes thrive?

Facultative anaerobes can live in both oxic and anoxic environments.

How do facultative anaerobes mainly respire?

They mainly respire aerobically but can switch to anaerobic respiration.

What is an example of a facultative anaerobe?

Yeast.

What physiological tolerances affect a species existence?

Temperature and salinity tolerances.

What is the optimum range concerning abiotic factors?

It is the range where the species performs best.

What are zones of stress?

Areas outside the optimum range where the species can survive but experiences physiological stress.

What are zones of intolerance?

Conditions beyond zones of stress that the species cannot tolerate.

What represents a species' fundamental niche?

The tolerance ranges for all relevant abiotic conditions.

How can species interactions affect a species' fundamental niche?

Interactions like predation and mutualism may prevent a species from being found throughout its entire fundamental niche.