ecological niches & adaptations

• niche: the place where a species lives within an ecosystem is its habitat
• the role that a species plays within its habitat is known as its niche, including:

  the biotic interactions of the species (e.g organism it feeds on, organisms that feed on it)

  abiotic interactions (e.g how much oxygen and carbon dioxide the species exchanges with atmosphere)
• a niche can only be occupied by one species, meaning that every individual species has its own unique niche
• what happens when two species try to occupy the same niche?

  they will compete for same resources

  one of the species will be more successful and outcompete the other

  the other species is either forced out to another niche or left to go extinct
• e.g the three north american warbler species all occupy the same habitat (spruces and other conifer trees) but occupy slightly different niches as each species feeds at a different height within the trees
• what does the 3 north american warbler species avoid by occupying different heights of the trees as their niches?

  avoids competition between the 3 species, allowing them to co-exist closely with each other in the same habitat
• adaptations: features of organisms that increase their chances of surviving and reproducing
• anatomical adaptations: structural features e.g horns, claws, feathers that increase an organism's chances of survival
• behavioural adaptations: actions such as courtship of defensive behaviours, that increase an organism's chances of survival
• physiological adaptations: processes inside the body, such as venom production or the ability to digest cellulose that increase an organism's chances of survival
• adaptation to biotic factors: sea otter

  using rocks to break open shellfish allows them to access a valuable food resource

  behavioural adaptation
• adaptation to biotic factors: male frog

  using throat pouches to produce distinct mating calls allows them to attract a mate from the same species

  anatomical and behavioural adaptation
• adaptation to biotic factors: bacteria

  some species produce antibacterial chemicals to out-compete other species of bacteria in the same area, allowing them great access to resources

  physiological adaptation
• adaptations to abiotic factors: otter

  webbed paws allow them to live and hunt both on land and in water

  anatomical adaptation
• adaptation to abiotic factors: seal

  a thick layer of blubber allows them to keep warm in very cold environments

  anatomical adaptations
• adaptation to abiotic factors: hedgehog

  hibernating over winter (lowering their rate of metabolism) allows them to conserve energy during the coldest months when food is scarce

  behavioural and physiological adaptation