Which of the following best describes the difference between a niche and a habitat?

• A. A habitat and a niche are identical terms used interchangeably in ecology.
• B. A niche refers only to the food an organism eats, while a habitat refers to its predators.
• C. A niche is the physical environment where an organism lives, while a habitat is the organism's role in the ecosystem.
• D. A habitat is the physical environment where an organism lives, while a niche is the organism's role and interactions within that environment.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the definitions of 'habitat' and 'niche' in ecology. A habitat is the physical environment where an organism lives, such as a forest, desert, or ocean. It includes factors like temperature, soil, water, and light availability.
2. Step 2: Define 'niche' as the role an organism plays within its environment. This includes its interactions with other organisms (e.g., predation, competition, symbiosis), its feeding habits, and how it contributes to energy flow and nutrient cycling in the ecosystem.
3. Step 3: Compare the two terms. While a habitat describes 'where' an organism lives, a niche describes 'how' it lives and interacts within that environment. The niche encompasses both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.
4. Step 4: Analyze the options provided in the question. Eliminate incorrect choices by checking if they align with the definitions of habitat and niche. For example, the statement 'A habitat and a niche are identical terms used interchangeably in ecology' is incorrect because the two terms have distinct meanings.
5. Step 5: Confirm the correct answer: 'A habitat is the physical environment where an organism lives, while a niche is the organism's role and interactions within that environment.' This accurately reflects the difference between the two concepts in ecology.