Nischentheorie

Nischentheorie, also known as niche theory, is a concept in ecology and evolutionary biology that describes the role and position a species occupies in its environment. It encompasses all the interactions a species has with the biotic and abiotic factors of its habitat. This includes what it eats, what eats it, where it lives, and how it behaves.

There are two main ways to understand niche: the fundamental niche and the realized niche. The fundamental niche refers to the full range of environmental conditions and resources an organism could potentially occupy in the absence of competition or other interferences. The realized niche, however, is the portion of the fundamental niche that a species actually occupies and utilizes. This is often smaller than the fundamental niche due to factors like competition from other species, predation, or limitations in dispersal.

The Nischentheorie helps explain species diversity and coexistence. If two species occupy very similar niches, they are likely to compete intensely for resources. According to the competitive exclusion principle, one species will eventually outcompete the other, leading to the extinction or displacement of one. Therefore, species that coexist in the same environment tend to have different niches, reducing direct competition and allowing for a greater variety of life. Understanding a species' niche is crucial for conservation efforts, as it helps identify the specific requirements for its survival and the threats it might face.