What is an ecological niche?

An ecological niche refers to the role or function of an organism within its ecosystem, encompassing all its interactions with the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components of its environment. This includes the organism's habitat, its behaviors, how it obtains resources such as food and shelter, and how it affects and is affected by other organisms.

Understanding an ecological niche involves looking at the organism’s place in the food web, its reproductive strategy, competition with other organisms, and its contributions to energy flow and nutrient cycling within the ecosystem. This concept highlights the interconnectedness of species and their environments, illustrating how various organisms occupy different niches that contribute to the overall functioning and sustainability of the ecosystem.

The other options present definitions that do not accurately reflect the broader and more complex meaning of an ecological niche. Some may describe aspects of ecology but do not capture the complete function and interactions regarding an organism's role in its ecosystem.