niche
NEESH
/niːʃ/
The specific role, position, or function that a species occupies within an ecosystem.
Includes diet, shelter requirements, environmental tolerances, and behavioral patterns within the community.
The story behind the word. Derived from Old French 'nicher' (to make a nest), from Latin 'nidus' (nest). It originally referred to an architectural recess in a wall before ecologists adopted it for an organism's functional placement.
Word relationships
- role: Role is a general term, whereas niche covers the complete set of environmental requirements and functions.
Commonly confused with
- habitat: Habitat is the home where an organism lives; niche is its functional profession in that home.
Collocations
- ecological niche
- carve out a niche
- fill a niche
- niche specialization
Idioms & expressions
- carve out a niche
Example sentences
- "No two species can occupy the exact same ecological niche indefinitely without driving one to extinction." Ecological theory
Memory hook
NICHE rhymes with 'NEST'—a specialized, comfy spot tailored just for you. An organism's job description.
When not to use
Do not use 'niche' merely as a synonym for physical location; location is 'habitat'.
Fun facts
- Architectural niches held statues in churches before Joseph Grinnell used the term ecologically in 1917.
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