Ecological niche

[MedHopeful234]

I have read in several different Biology sources that ecological niche refers to an organism's specific role in an ecosystem (example: http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Ecological_Niche)

However, DAT bootcamp defines it as: the environmental conditions where an organism can potentially live.

Which is it?

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[Dotoday]

It is both. Both definigions are correct. So Jungle Alaska is a good Niche for a polar Bear. Cold conditions enable him/her to live comfortably and since Polar Bears eat fish, nature uses them to control fish population. That is their "job". Hope it helps.

 

[MedHopeful234]

Hmmm.. Ok thanks so much.

DAT Bootcamp marked that question wrong when I indicated that choice to be the answer though (the role answer), so I am hoping the DAT doesn't have something like that on there...

 

[ac_ac]

I know the Bootcamp question you refer to. I'm pretty sure the DAT bootcamp question refers to the "fundamental" niche, which is different from just the regular definition of a niche.