Ecological niche facts for kids
An ecological niche is like a special job or role a species has in its environment. It's not just the place where an animal or plant lives, but also how it lives there. Think of it as how an organism "makes a living" in its home.
For example, different animals can live in the same forest but have very different jobs. Some might be grazers, eating plants. Others might be insectivores, eating insects. There are also scavengers who eat dead animals, and predators who hunt other animals. Each of these is a different way of life, or a different niche, within the same forest.
A niche can be filled by different species in different places. For instance, the "bird of prey eating small mammals" niche is a job. In grasslands, a kestrel might do this job. But in an oak wood, a tawny owl might fill the same role. They both eat small mammals, but they do it in different places.
The idea of a niche has been around for a long time. People noticed that animals and plants live in places where they are perfectly suited. The word niche was first used in biology by naturalist Roswell Johnson. Later, in 1917, Joseph Grinnell started using it in his research. He was the first to suggest that usually only one species can have a specific niche at any one time.
Scientists who study how living things interact with their environment are called ecologists. Their science is called ecology. An ecological niche describes the perfect spot or opportunity an organism fits into because it's well-suited for it.
When Niches Change
Sometimes, a niche becomes empty. This can happen if a species dies out, which is called extinction. When a niche is open, other organisms might move in and take over that job.
Also, when invasive species arrive in a new land, they can sometimes take over the jobs of native plants and animals. This can cause problems for the native species. In some cases, the native species might even become extinct because the new species took over their niche.
Images for kids
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The flightless dung beetle has a special job: it eats animal droppings.
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A niche is also about what an organism needs to survive. Most succulents grow in dry, sunny places like deserts.
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A beaver dam in Germany. Beavers use wood to build dams, which changes the environment for other species.
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The bill of this purple-throated carib hummingbird fits perfectly into the flower. They have evolved together so the hummingbird can get nectar.
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When different species eat some of the same food, their niches overlap. This shows where they compete for resources.
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Mistletoe is a plant that grows on other trees. It uses the host tree for food and a place to live.
See also
In Spanish: Nicho ecológico para niños
