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All 15 Flashcards — Niches
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Question
Define ecological niche.
Answer
A niche is the role of a species in an ecosystem, including how it uses resources and interacts with other species.
💡 Hint
Role + resource use + interactions
Question
Quick check: Niche describes how a species lives.
Answer
True. It includes role, resource use and interactions, not just location.
💡 Hint
Role not address
Question
Define resources in an ecosystem context.
Answer
Resources are things organisms need to survive, such as food, water, light, space or shelter.
💡 Hint
Needs to survive
Question
What is niche overlap?
Answer
Niche overlap is when two species use the same resources in the same way and place/time.
💡 Hint
Same resources
Question
Niche vs habitat: what is the difference?
Answer
Habitat is where a species lives; niche is how it lives (its role and resource use).
💡 Hint
Address vs job
Question
Quick check: Habitat is where a species lives.
Answer
True. Habitat is the place or physical environment where a species lives.
💡 Hint
Address
Question
Why does niche overlap often lead to competition?
Answer
If resources are limited, both species demand the same resource, reducing growth, survival or reproduction for at least one.
💡 Hint
Limited resource
Question
List two components of a niche.
Answer
Food type and feeding method; activity time; abiotic tolerances; interactions (predator, competitor, pollinator).
💡 Hint
Food + conditions + interactions
Question
Name the term: Two species use the same limited resource.
Answer
Competition (often caused by niche overlap).
💡 Hint
Overlap → competition
Question
Exam cue: What should you include when asked to “describe the niche” of a species?
Answer
State feeding role, key interactions, and the abiotic conditions needed for survival.
💡 Hint
Feeding + interactions + conditions
Question
What usually happens if niche overlap is very high and resources are limited?
Answer
One species may be outcompeted and decline locally, reducing biodiversity.
💡 Hint
One wins, one loses
Question
How can species reduce competition?
Answer
By resource partitioning: using different food types, locations, or activity times (different niches).
💡 Hint
Partition resources
Question
Exam cue: If a question mentions two species using the same food, what key idea should you state?
Answer
Their niches overlap, so competition is likely unless resources are abundant or they separate by time/place.
💡 Hint
Overlap → competition
Question
Why do niches help explain high biodiversity?
Answer
More available niches allow species to specialise and coexist with less direct competition.
💡 Hint
More niches → more coexistence
Question
One-line link: more niches means what outcome?
Answer
More niches usually allow more species to coexist, increasing biodiversity.
💡 Hint
Coexistence
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Topic 2.3 hub
Habitat, niche and interactions
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