Ecological Niche – Basic Concepts and Types
1. Introduction to Ecological Niche
The ecological niche of a species refers to its role and position within an ecosystem. It describes
how a species interacts with both the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components of its
environment. This includes where the species lives (its habitat), what it eats, what eats it, how it
obtains its resources, and how it interacts with other organisms such as competitors, predators,
and mutualistic partners. In simple terms, a niche is not just the physical location of a species,
but everything it does to survive and reproduce.
2. Basic Concepts of Niche
A niche includes all the biological and physical factors necessary for the survival and
reproduction of a species. These factors include:
• Habitat – the place where an organism lives,
• Trophic level – the species’ role in the food chain,
• Resource use – such as food, water, and shelter,
• Environmental conditions – like temperature, humidity, or light,
• Interactions – with predators, competitors, or symbiotic species.
3. Types of Ecological Niches
a. Fundamental Niche
The fundamental niche is the full range of environmental conditions and resources a species
could potentially use in the absence of competition or predators. It represents the ideal situation
for a species to survive and reproduce.
b. Realized Niche
In reality, organisms often face competition and threats from other species. The actual role and
space a species occupies under natural conditions is known as its realized niche. This is usually
smaller than the fundamental niche.
c. Habitat Niche
This refers to the physical environment or location where a species lives. For example, a frog
living in a pond or a bird nesting in a tree is occupying a specific habitat niche.
d. Trophic Niche
The trophic niche describes the feeding role of an organism within an ecosystem. For example,
herbivores consume plants, carnivores eat other animals, and decomposers break down dead
matter.
e. Multidimensional Niche (Hutchinson’s Niche)
Ecologist G.E. Hutchinson introduced the idea of a multidimensional niche, where a species'
niche is viewed as an “n-dimensional hypervolume.” Each dimension represents an
environmental variable like temperature, moisture, food type, etc. This concept helps to explain
how complex and unique each species’ role is in its ecosystem.
f. Niche Breadth
Niche breadth refers to the range of conditions a species can tolerate. Generalist species have a
broad niche and can survive in various environments (e.g., rats, cockroaches), while specialist
species have a narrow niche and require specific conditions (e.g., pandas, koalas).
4. Importance of Ecological Niche
Understanding ecological niches is essential in ecology because it helps explain:
• How species are distributed,
• How they interact with one another,
• How they adapt to environmental changes.
It also plays a critical role in biodiversity conservation, habitat protection, and the management
of ecosystems.
Primary and Secondary Production
1. Introduction to Biological Production
Biological production refers to the formation of organic matter (biomass) through biological
processes. In ecosystems, this production occurs at different levels and is broadly divided into
primary and secondary production. These processes are essential for the flow of energy and
cycling of nutrients through ecosystems.
2. Primary Production
a. Definition
Primary production is the process by which autotrophs (mainly green plants, algae, and some
bacteria) convert inorganic substances like carbon dioxide and water into organic matter
using sunlight (photosynthesis) or, in some cases, chemical energy (chemosynthesis).
b. Types of Primary Production
• Gross Primary Production (GPP):
This is the total amount of organic matter produced by autotrophs in an ecosystem
through photosynthesis over a given period of time.
• Net Primary Production (NPP):
This is the energy that remains after autotrophs use some of the GPP for their own
respiration (R).
NPP = GPP – R
It represents the energy available to herbivores and decomposers in the ecosystem.
c. Importance
Primary production forms the base of the food chain, providing energy for all higher trophic
levels. It is also an important indicator of ecosystem productivity.
3. Secondary Production
a. Definition
Secondary production is the formation of new biomass by heterotrophs (organisms that
consume other organisms for energy), such as herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers. It
depends directly on the energy obtained from primary producers.
b. Process
When heterotrophs consume plant material (NPP), only a portion of it is used for growth and
reproduction. The rest is either lost as waste or used in metabolism. The energy used to build
new tissues is considered secondary production.
c. Trophic Levels and Secondary Production
• Primary consumers (herbivores) convert plant biomass into animal biomass.
• Secondary and tertiary consumers (carnivores) further contribute to secondary
production by consuming other animals.
d. Efficiency
Secondary production is less efficient than primary production because energy is lost at each
trophic level due to metabolic processes and heat loss (as explained by the 10% energy transfer
rule).
4. Summary of Differences
Feature Primary Production Secondary Production
Organisms Autotrophs (plants, algae, etc.) Heterotrophs (animals, fungi, etc.)
involved
Energy source Sunlight (photosynthesis) Consumed organic matter
Example A tree producing glucose A deer gaining weight from eating
grass
Product Organic matter from inorganic Biomass from consumption of other
input organisms
5. Importance in Ecosystems
Both primary and secondary production are critical for the flow of energy in ecosystems.
Primary production determines how much energy is available in an ecosystem, while secondary
production shows how efficiently that energy is transferred to higher trophic levels.
