What does the term "niche" refer to in ecology?

The term "niche" in ecology specifically refers to the role or function of a species within its ecosystem. It encompasses how a species interacts with both its physical environment and other organisms. This includes aspects such as the types of food it consumes, how it obtains that food, its reproductive habits, and its position within the food web.

Understanding a species' niche is crucial because it helps clarify the unique position each species occupies in an ecosystem. For example, two species may live in the same habitat, but they can have different niches if they occupy different roles, such as one being a predator and the other a prey or one being a decomposer while the other is a primary producer. This concept helps ecologists understand biodiversity and the dynamics of ecosystems, including how species coexist or compete for resources.