Question

many species live in the same habitat, but each species occupies a different ecological niche. an ecological niche contains all the physical, chemical, and biological factors that a species needs to survive and reproduce. the factors that make up a species niche include the following:

• food sources the type of food a species eats, how a species competes with others for food, and where it fits in the food web are all part of a species niche.
• abiotic conditions a niche includes the range of conditions such as air temperature and amount of water that a species can tolerate.
• behavior the time of day a species is active and where and when it feeds and reproduces also are factors in the niche of a species.

an ecosystem is a collection of habitats. the organisms that occupy these habitats have separate niches, but the niches have certain abiotic and biotic factors in common. think of a habitat as where a species lives and a niche as how the species lives within its habitat.

question: which of the following best explains the difference between a habitat and a niche for flamingos?

a habitat describes flamingos behaviors, while a niche includes only their food sources.
a habitat is the role flamingos play in the ecosystem, while a niche is the location where they live.
a habitat includes abiotic conditions, while a niche only includes biotic factors.
a habitat includes where flamingos live, while a niche includes how they survive and reproduce within that environment.

Explanation:

The text states that a habitat is where a species lives and a niche is how the species lives within its habitat, including factors for survival and reproduction. Option D correctly reflects this distinction for flamingos.

Answer:

D. A habitat includes where flamingos live, while a niche includes how they survive and reproduce within that environment.