Habitat and Niche

Ecology Workbook – Habitat and Niche

GE1302 – A. John

Name

Section

Instructions

I. First select one of the following species to use in this workbook:

• Tiger

• Koala

• North American Beaver

• White Rhinoceros

• Humpback Whale

• Mountain Gorilla

• Ostrich

• Ruby-throated Hummingbird

• Harpy Eagle

• Scarlet Macaw

• Saltwater Crocodile

• Galapagos Tortoise

• Panther Chameleon

• King Cobra

• Wood Frog

• Common Toad

• Atlantic Salmon

• Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

• Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

• Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

II. Lookup this species and then do the rest of this workbook.

1

Part I

Introduction

1 Preliminary

The species you have chosen is (For the questions below this is “your selected species”)

2 Abiotic factors

List and describe three abiotic factors that affect your selected species. (Note food is considered biotic)

Abiotic Factor Description (how does it affect your selected species)

3 Limiting Factor

Definition

One factor which more important than other factors in determining the success of a population

What is the limiting factor for your selected species? (By definition there can only be one)

Explain why you think this is the limiting factor.

2

Figure 1: Temporal resource partitioning among warbler species

Part II

Habitat and Niche

4 Observations

Describe the habitat of your selected species.

Could your selected species survive in any other types of habitat? Why or why not?

Is your selected species restricted to specific types of food, temperature range, or amount of rainfall? If so, give what these restrictions are.

Would you consider your selected species to be a specialist or a generalist? Explain why.

What special adaptations (body parts, skills, tools, etc.) does your selected species show?

3

What special behaviors does your selected species show?

Is your selected species diurnal, nocturnal, or crepuscular (active at dusk and dawn)?

Are there any other limitations to the survival of your selected species? If so, what are these limitations?

What other species could compete with your selected species? How would they compete?

How does your selected species prevent competition?