What are Ecological Niches?

Definition of Niche: the full range of biotic and abiotic conditions under which an organism lives. Because of competition and limited resources, organisms with similar requirements tend to sort into slightly different niches. Concept of competitive exclusion - two species will not occupy exactly the same niche. The concept of the ecological niche is very important one; it helps us to understand how organisms in an ecosystem interact with each other. The concept is described …

…fleas and ticks. Hedgehogs put nitrogen back into the soil when they urinate! I don't know how much nitrogen they put into the soil but it probably helps the plants if they do. Part of their diet is slugs, which in turn reduces the effect that slugs have on the flowers. The idea of an ecological niche is very simple. You just need to know where the animal or plant lives and what it does.