Habitats & Niches
Habitats Environment where an organism or community lives Provides water, food, shelter, & climate
Habitat vs Niche Habitat - Area where a species lives Niche - Its role in that habitat
Coyote Habitat & Niche
Niches Determined by: Variety in niches = variety of species Biotic factors (food, predators, mates) Abiotic factors (temp, sunlight, water) Variety in niches = variety of species
Niches Example: Darwin’s finches
What Determines a Niche?
Competition All species have similar needs and must compete for resources: Climate range Territory Food Mating
Types of Niches Niches include: Predator Keystone Apex Prey Parasite Mutualist Niches include: Commensalist Producer Consumer Decomposer Generalist Specialist
Types of Niches Activity Objective: design an informational paper slide about your assigned niche Requirements: Must include: Explanation of what it is At least 1 relevant image/diagram How this role affects others in the ecosystem Must fit on 1 side of provided paper ( 1 sheet only) Must be . . . Colorful (markers recommended) Neat Readable from 10 ft away