Texas A&M University (TAMU) BIOL112 Introductory Biology II Lab Exam 1 Practice Exam

The term that describes the specific role and position a species occupies in its environment is the ecological niche. An ecological niche encompasses not just where an organism lives (its habitat) but also what it does, how it interacts with other organisms, and how it utilizes resources within its ecosystem. This concept integrates various factors including the species' feeding habits, behavior, reproductive strategies, and its interactions with both biotic and abiotic elements in the environment.

For example, two species may inhabit the same physical space but fulfill different ecological roles—one might be a predator while the other is a herbivore, thus reducing competition between them. Understanding the ecological niche is crucial for studying ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity, and the impact of environmental changes on different species.