What is a fundamental niche?

Question

Jeremiah Allen · Accepted Answer

The fundamental niche is the theoretical niche of an organism given that there are no limiting factors on the environment or resources the organism can use/inhabit.

A fundamental niche is the niche the organism would have if there were no limiting factors, such as predators, competitors, parasites, and disease.

A fundamental niche differs from a realized niche because limiting factors often exist in the real world. The niche the organism actually occupies in the wild is called the realized niche.

For example, let's say an animal has a diverse, omnivorous diet. It can travel in many habitats and find sufficient food. However, if a predator is introduced in one of those habitats, the animal will avoid that area and no longer feed in that habitat. Thus, its realized niche differs from its fundamental niche.

Below we have an example where competition is the limiting factor for a species of barnacle:

Vivian Aronson · Answer

undefined A fundamental niche is the entire range of environmental conditions where a species could potentially exist and reproduce, without considering competition from other species.

Lydia Adams · Answer

undefined A fundamental niche refers to the full range of environmental conditions and resources within which a species can potentially survive and reproduce without the influence of other species.