What does an ecological niche refer to?

An ecological niche refers to the role and position a species occupies in its environment, which includes how it interacts with other organisms, the resources it uses, and the conditions it requires for survival. This concept encompasses not just where the species lives but also how it lives, such as its feeding behaviors, reproductive strategies, and its interactions with other species in terms of competition, predation, and symbiosis.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of a species. The physical characteristics of a habitat relate more to the habitat itself rather than to the role of the species within it. The geographic range pertains to the area over which a species is distributed, which does not reflect the interactions and functions of the species in an ecosystem. Lastly, genetic diversity focuses on the variety in the genetic makeup within a species, which, while important for adaptation and resilience, does not directly define the niche a species occupies. Understanding the ecological niche is crucial for studying ecosystems and biodiversity conservation.