1. Broad Niche:
- A broad niche refers to a species that can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions and exploit various resources within its habitat.
- Broad-niched species have low specialization and are adaptable to changes in their surroundings.
- They may have a generalized diet or habitat preferences, allowing them to occupy different ecological niches.
Example: Generalist predators, such as foxes or coyotes, have broad niches as they can feed on a variety of prey species and occupy diverse habitats.
2. Narrow Niche:
- A narrow niche refers to a species with a restricted set of environmental conditions and resources it can successfully exploit.
- Narrow-niched species have high specialization and are more vulnerable to environmental disturbances or changes in resource availability.
- They may have specialized diets or habitat preferences, which limits their distribution and range of ecological interactions.
Example: Specialists, such as nectar-feeding hummingbirds or herbivorous insects restricted to specific plant species, exhibit narrow niches due to their dependence on specific resources.
Broad and narrow niches can have implications for species' abundance, distribution, and ecological roles within ecosystems. Generalists with broad niches may be more widely distributed and resilient to environmental changes, whereas specialists with narrow niches may be more vulnerable and prone to population declines. Understanding niche breadth and specialization is important in ecological studies, conservation efforts, and predicting species responses to environmental changes.