Within a habitat, a species occupies a niche governed by adaptation to both abiotic and biotic conditions
Every species fills a unique role in its habitat, called a niche. Adaptations to non-living conditions (like temperature) and living ones (like predators) define that role.
Real World
The red and grey squirrel in the UK occupy similar niches, but the grey squirrel outcompetes the red for food resources such as acorns, demonstrating competitive exclusion in overlapping niches.
Exam Focus
Always give one abiotic and one biotic factor when asked to describe a niche — covering both earns full marks.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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