Lesson 30 102717 SWBAT DESCRIBE ECOLOGICAL NICHES DO
Lesson 30 10/27/17 SWBAT DESCRIBE ECOLOGICAL NICHES. DO NOW: CHECK HW WITH KEY
Symbiotic Videos: Share Out • What was the relationship? • What was the evidence? • What is the supporting science?
Ecological Niche • The role and position a species has in its environment. • How it survives • How it reproduces • How it finds food and shelter
Stop and Think • How is an ecological niche different than a species’ habitat?
Ecological Niche • Several species may share a habitat, but the food, shelter and other resources are used in different ways. • This leads to reduced competition.
Ecological Niche Example • Absorb sunlight by photosynthesis • Absorb water and mineral salts from soil • Provide shelter for many animals and other plants • Act as a support for creeping plants • Serve as a source of food for animals • Cover the ground with dead leaves in the autumn
The Competitive Exclusion Principle Two species with exactly the same requirements cannot coexist in exactly the same habitat.
The Competitive Exclusion Principle British red squirrel American grey squirrel
The Competitive Exclusion Principle American Gray Squirrel Population British Red Squirrel Population
Resource Partitioning • Species each alter their use of niche, dividing the resources
Article • Read annotate • Answer questions
Homework • Select an ecosystem and pick a species that has a special niche. Describe the niche IN YOUR OWN WORDS. In addition, describe two competitors for this species.
- Slides: 14