Question

The ecological niche of the population is
A. The geographical area that it covers
B. Place where it lives
C. Set of conditions and resources it uses
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: In ecology, the term niche describes the relational position of a species or population in an ecosystem. Niche is species-specific, so no two species can fill the same niche. The two similar niches can overlap but there must be distinct differences to avoid competition for the same resources.

Complete answer:
A niche gives the relational position of a species in an ecosystem. The niche tells the population response to the availability of the resources and enemies. For example, the population will grow when resources are abundant, and predators, parasites and pathogens are scarce. The abiotic factors of an ecosystem are also part of the niche because they also affect the growth of populations, as they are affected by resources and enemies. The description of a niche includes:
> descriptions of the organism's life history
> habitat
> place in the food chain.
Pauli's competitive exclusion principle, says, no two species can occupy the same niche in the same environment for a long time.
Difference between Habitat and Niche

Habitat	Niche
It is a particular place where organisms live.	It defines a particular role played by organisms in an ecosystem.
It is not species-specific and several species can occupy the same habitat.	Niche is species-specific and it supports only a single species.
It has several niches.	They are species-specific.
It is a superset of niche.	It is a subset of habitat.
Examples: desert, ocean, mountains, forest, etc.	Examples: various trophic positions occupied by Darwin’s finches.

So, the correct answer is option (C) set of conditions and resources it uses.

Note:
Niche term was coined by Joseph Grinnel. According to him, the ecological niche involves the physical space occupied by an organism but it also the functional role of a species in its community structure. This includes all activity necessary for survival. Niche description gives the value of species contribution in the energy flow of the system i.e. in what ways species, gains energy and supplies it in an ecosystem.
The aspects of an ecological niche:
> Spatial or habitat niche
> Trophic Niche
> Hypervolume or multidimensional niche