1. “Which Niche?” Activity
Introduction to Ecology
“Which Niche?” Activity

2. How do you define community?

3. Now think about an ecosystem in nature: living vs. non-living

4. Eastern deciduous forest
What is:
Living? Non-living?

5. Wetland
What is:
Living?
Non-living?

6. Field or grassland What is: Living? Non-living?
Can you think of another to brainstorm?

7. How could we adapt our initial definition of community for the natural world?
What would we have to take into account?

8. Ecological Niche

9. Ecological Niche Habitat Location Food/shelter/water/space needs
Food web
Habits
Connections
Service/job
Ecological Niche

10. On the sheet provided:
1. Define ecological niche.
2. Select a species and describe its ecological niche. What species fills a similar ecological niche in a different ecosystem?
3. Explain why it is important for wildlife to occupy different niches in an ecosystem. What would happen if the species identified in #2 was removed from the ecosystem?
4. Post the species ecological niche brag sheet on the correct ecosystem around the room.