Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Every ecosystem is shaped by two major types of factors that determine which organisms survive there. Biotic factors include all living components like plants, animals, and microorganisms that an organism might interact with. Abiotic factors are the non-living components such as sunlight, air, water, soil, temperature, and even human influences.
Your habitat is simply the area where you live, but your niche is much more specific. A niche represents the full range of conditions an organism needs and how it uses those resources. This includes everything from temperature requirements to its position in the food web.
💡 Think of a niche as your specific "job description" in an ecosystem, while habitat is just your "address."
The combination of biotic and abiotic factors determines how many different niches exist in an ecosystem. Remember this important ecological principle: no two species can share exactly the same niche in the same habitat. However, different species can occupy niches that are very similar while still maintaining their unique ecological roles.