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Concepts of Habitat and Niche

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This document discusses the concepts of habitat and niche, specifically for soil microorganisms. It defines habitat as a specific physical space occupied by an organism, while niche refers to an organism's functional role in an ecosystem. The document provides examples of how microenvironments and niches are created for microorganisms based on chemical gradients and resource availability in very small physical spaces. It emphasizes that microorganisms can influence and create their own microenvironments and niches, such as within colonies or by associating with clays.

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SOIL MICROBIOLOGY - CONCEPTS OF HABITAT AND NICHE Dr. S. Anu Kiruthika Bengaluru North University Bengaluru. 1
INTRODUCTION Habitat • Habitat is a specific physical place or locality occupied by an organism or any species which has a particular combination of abiotic or environmental factors. But the environment of any community is called Biotope. Niche • An ecological niche refers to an organism’s place in the biotic environment and its functional role in an ecosystem. • The term was coined by the naturalist Roswell Hill Johnson but Grinell (1917) was probably first to use this term. The habitat and niche of any organism is called Ecotope. 2
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HABITAT AND NICHE S.NO Habitat Niche 1. A specific physical space occupied by an organism (species). A functional space occupied by an organism in the same eco-system. 2. Same habitat may be shared by many organisms (species). A single niche is occupied by a single species. 3. Habitat specificity is exhibited by organism. Organisms may change their niche with time and season. 3
 Microenvironment  Specific physical location of microorganism.  Impacted by fluxes of nutrients  and diffusion rates of waste products. The Microenvironment and Niche  Niche  Function of an organism in a complex system, including place of the organism, resources used in a given location, and time of use 4
CONCEPTS OF HABITAT AND NICHE • Microorganisms, as they interact with each other and with other organisms in biogeochemical cycling, also are influenced by their immediate physical environment, • whether this might be soil, water, the deep marine environment, or a plant or animal host. • It is important to consider the specific environments where microorganisms interact with each other, other organisms, and the physical environment. 5
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The Creation of a Niche from a Microenvironment. • As shown in figure, two nearby particles create a physical microenvironment for possible use by microorganisms. • Chemical gradients, as with oxygen from the aerobic region, and sulfide from the anaerobic region, create a unique niche. • This niche thus is the physical environment and the resources available for use by specialized aerobic sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. 7
 This physically structured environment also can limit the predatory activities of protozoa.  If the microenvironment has pores with diameters of 3 to 6 μm, it will protect bacteria in the pores from predation, while allowing diffusion of nutrients and waste products. • If the pores are larger, perhaps greater than 6 μm in diameter, protozoa may be able to feed on the bacteria. 8
 It is important to emphasize that microorganisms can create their own microenvironments and niches.  For example, microorganisms in the interior of a colony have markedly different microenvironments and niches than those of the same microbial populations located on the surface or edge of the colony.  Microorganisms also can associate with clays and form “clay hutches” for protection. 9
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Concepts of Habitat and Niche

  • 1. SOIL MICROBIOLOGY - CONCEPTS OF HABITAT AND NICHE Dr. S. Anu Kiruthika Bengaluru North University Bengaluru. 1
  • 2. INTRODUCTION Habitat • Habitat is a specific physical place or locality occupied by an organism or any species which has a particular combination of abiotic or environmental factors. But the environment of any community is called Biotope. Niche • An ecological niche refers to an organism’s place in the biotic environment and its functional role in an ecosystem. • The term was coined by the naturalist Roswell Hill Johnson but Grinell (1917) was probably first to use this term. The habitat and niche of any organism is called Ecotope. 2
  • 3. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HABITAT AND NICHE S.NO Habitat Niche 1. A specific physical space occupied by an organism (species). A functional space occupied by an organism in the same eco-system. 2. Same habitat may be shared by many organisms (species). A single niche is occupied by a single species. 3. Habitat specificity is exhibited by organism. Organisms may change their niche with time and season. 3
  • 4.  Microenvironment  Specific physical location of microorganism.  Impacted by fluxes of nutrients  and diffusion rates of waste products. The Microenvironment and Niche  Niche  Function of an organism in a complex system, including place of the organism, resources used in a given location, and time of use 4
  • 5. CONCEPTS OF HABITAT AND NICHE • Microorganisms, as they interact with each other and with other organisms in biogeochemical cycling, also are influenced by their immediate physical environment, • whether this might be soil, water, the deep marine environment, or a plant or animal host. • It is important to consider the specific environments where microorganisms interact with each other, other organisms, and the physical environment. 5
  • 6. 6
  • 7. The Creation of a Niche from a Microenvironment. • As shown in figure, two nearby particles create a physical microenvironment for possible use by microorganisms. • Chemical gradients, as with oxygen from the aerobic region, and sulfide from the anaerobic region, create a unique niche. • This niche thus is the physical environment and the resources available for use by specialized aerobic sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. 7
  • 8.  This physically structured environment also can limit the predatory activities of protozoa.  If the microenvironment has pores with diameters of 3 to 6 μm, it will protect bacteria in the pores from predation, while allowing diffusion of nutrients and waste products. • If the pores are larger, perhaps greater than 6 μm in diameter, protozoa may be able to feed on the bacteria. 8
  • 9.  It is important to emphasize that microorganisms can create their own microenvironments and niches.  For example, microorganisms in the interior of a colony have markedly different microenvironments and niches than those of the same microbial populations located on the surface or edge of the colony.  Microorganisms also can associate with clays and form “clay hutches” for protection. 9