WANI Dictionary

Niche

The term "niche" in ecology refers to a unique role of a species in its environment. The role includes all aspects of its life, but is generally described in terms of conditions, resources, and interactions necessary for maintaining the species in the long term.

Definitions in the literature

• All species of a community share the same habitat, but each has a unique ecological role that sets it apart. This role is the species' niche, which we describe in terms of the conditions, resources, and interactions necessary for survival and reproduction [1].
• Reference [2] has two definitions: 1) A summary of the conditions and resources that must be available in order for a species to maintain a population in the long term; and 2) The status or role of an organism in its environment.
• Each species occupies a unique ecological niche that encompasses all aspects of its way of life [2].