Introduction Phenomenon: Niche Partitioning

Niche partitioning refers to the division of ecological resources or roles among species in a community to reduce competition and allow coexistence. In an ecosystem, different species often have similar requirements for resources like food, space, or environmental conditions. Niche partitioning is a strategy that helps species with similar needs to coexist without directly competing with each other.

Biotic - ALL living organisms

Abiotic - non-living components (soil, rocks, sunlight, wind, rain)

Habitat - The place where a population lives

Niche - The physical and biological conditions in which an organism lives and the way in which the organism uses those conditions.
No two species can share the same niche in the same habitat

Symbiosis - two species live closely together

a. Mutualism - both species benefit (insects pollinate flowers)
b. Commensalism - one member is benefits and the other is neither helped or harmed
c. Parasitism - one organism lives in or on another and harms it (blood sucking tick)

 

Example of Niche Partitioning

1. Anole Lizards in the Caribbean:

   • In the Caribbean islands, different species of Anole lizards have evolved to specialize in specific parts of trees
   • Some are adapted for life high in the canopy, while others are ground-dwellers.
   • This spatial partitioning allows multiple Anole species to coexist by utilizing different vertical levels within the same habitat.
   • Lizard Evolution Virtual Lab
     
     
2. Darwin's Finches in the Galápagos Islands:
   • Darwin's finches on the Galápagos Islands exhibit beak size and shape variations that correspond to the types of seeds they consume.
   • One species may have a beak adapted for cracking large seeds, while another may have a smaller beak suited for eating small seeds.
   • This is an example of resource partitioning, where different species utilize different types of food resources within the same environment.
   • The Beak of the Finch (Video)
     
     
3. Warblers in North American Forests:
   • Different species of warblers in North American forests often exhibit both spatial and temporal partitioning.
   • Some species may forage at different heights within the tree canopy, while others may feed on insects at different times of the day.
   • This allows multiple warbler species to coexist in the same habitat without directly competing for the same resources.
     
     
4. Ant Species in the Amazon Rainforest:
   • In the Amazon rainforest, various ant species occupy different microhabitats and forage at different times.
   • Some species may be specialized to forage on the forest floor, while others forage in the canopy.
   • This spatial and temporal partitioning reduces competition for resources like food and nesting sites.
     
     
5. Herbivores in the African Savanna
• On the African Savanna, herbivores like the wildebeast, gazelle, and zebra feed on grasses of different lengths
• Herds move across an area in response to rainfall.
• Zebras will eat tall grasses that emerge right after rain
• Wildebeest eat medium length grasses, 3-4 months after peak rain
• Gazelle eat the shortest grasses, 6 months after peak rain
  
  



HHMI Niche Partitioning in Gorongosa (Simple Version)