What is the difference between a habitat and a niche?

A habitat is the physical environment where an organism lives, while a niche is its role in that environment.

Habitat refers to the specific location where an organism lives, including the physical and biological factors that make up that environment. This can include things like temperature, humidity, and the presence of other organisms. For example, a habitat for a polar bear might be the Arctic tundra, where it can find food and shelter from the cold.

A niche, on the other hand, refers to the specific role that an organism plays within its habitat. This includes things like what it eats, how it interacts with other organisms, and how it reproduces. For example, a niche for a polar bear might be as a top predator, feeding on seals and other Arctic animals.

While habitat and niche are related concepts, they are distinct from one another. Organisms can share the same habitat but occupy different niches, or they can occupy the same niche but live in different habitats. Understanding both habitat and niche is important for understanding how different species interact with one another and with their environment, and for understanding how ecosystems function as a whole.