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Dictionary » E » Ecological niche

Ecological niche

Definition

noun, plural: ecological niches

The ecological role and space that an organism fills in an ecosystem.


Supplement

The ecological niche involves both the place where an organism lives and the roles that an organism does in its habitat. For example, the ecological niche of a sunflower growing in the backyard includes absorbing light, water and nutrients (for photosynthesis), providing shelter and food for other organisms (e.g. bees, ants, etc.), and giving off oxygen into the atmosphere.


Word origin: ecological + niche.

See also: realized niche, fundamental niche.


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Re: About Physiological Darwinism:From Fitness to Optimality

... and the dispersing efficiency of the genotypes in relation to the niches is the interpretation standard of biological adaptation. However phenotypic ... This is manifested in two new understandings: 1) intraspecific ecological optimality of phenotypic physiology can be explained as: with ...

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by wellalt
Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:45 pm
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: About Physiological Darwinism:From Fitness to Optimality
Replies: 8
Views: 141

About Physiological Darwinism:From Fitness to Optimality

... this phenotype being selected rather than that one? How is the physio-ecological process proceeding when a phenotype is selected in a concrete ... resources and resisting environmental stress under specific ecological niche. This analysis can be use to measure organisms' adaptation level. Comparing ...

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by wellalt
Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:15 pm
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: About Physiological Darwinism:From Fitness to Optimality
Replies: 8
Views: 141

Biochemical question?

... "less evolved"? Each organism is adapted to fit a different ecological niche. The rabbit seems to do just as well in its niche as the horse does in its niche.

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by alextemplet
Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:06 am
 
Forum: Genetics
Topic: Biochemical question?
Replies: 3
Views: 622

Why aren't bacteria taking over the world?

... one another, as well as against other microorganisms living in the same ecological niche. For example, many molds secrete substances that kill or inhibit bacterial growth. And ...

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by biohazard
Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:37 am
 
Forum: Microbiology
Topic: Why aren't bacteria taking over the world?
Replies: 15
Views: 2721

Community vs. Population

... A community is composed of two or more species that have definitive ecological niche (or role) specific in the area where they live. A population of Panthera leo or lions ...

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by mcar
Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:05 pm
 
Forum: Ecology
Topic: Community vs. Population
Replies: 3
Views: 6738
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