From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>
To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [permaculture] Biotope vs. "ecological niche"
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:40:49 -0400
More related and interesting concepts:
Niche differentiation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The term niche differentiation (synonymous with niche segregation, niche
separation and niche partitioning), as it applies to the field of
ecology, refers to the process by which natural selection drives
competing species into different patterns of resource use or different
niches. This process allows two species to partition certain resources
so that one species does not out-compete the other as dictated by the
competitive exclusion principle; thus, coexistence is obtained through
the differentiation of their realized ecological niches.
Niche differentiation is a process which occurs through several
different modes and on multiple temporal and spatial scales. In most
cases, niche differentiation has created a relationship between two
species where current competition is small or non-existent. Because of
this, the presence of niche differentiation can be methodologically
difficult to prove or disprove. The lack of evidence for current or past
competition can blur the line between 1) two competitive species
differentiating their niches to allow coexistence as opposed to 2) two
non-competing species which occupy similar niches. It is important to
keep in mind that niche differentiation and inter-specific competition
cannot always be considered linked.
As an example of resource partitioning, seven Anolis lizards in tropical
rainforest share common food needs — mainly insects. They avoid
competition by occupying different sections of the rainforest. Some live
on the leaf litter floor while others live on shady branches, thereby
avoiding competition over food in those sections of the forest. All
resources are subject to partitioning, for example; space, food, nesting
sites. This minimizes competition between similar species.
Habitat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Habitat (ecology))
A habitat (which is Latin for "it inhabits") is an ecological or
environmental area that is inhabited by a particular animal and plant
species.[1][2] It is the natural environment in which an organism lives,
or the physical environment that surrounds (influences and is utilized
by) a species population.[citation needed]
The term "species population" is preferred to "organism" because, while
it is possible to describe the habitat of a single black bear, we may
not find any particular or individual bear but the grouping of bears
that comprise a breeding population and occupy a certain biogeographical
area. Further, this habitat could be somewhat different from the habitat
of another group or population of black bears living elsewhere. Thus it
is neither the species nor the individual for which the term habitat is
typically used.
A microhabitat is a physical location that is home to very small
creatures, such as woodlice. Microenvironment is the immediate
surroundings and other physical factors of an individual plant or animal
within its habitat.
Microclimate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A microclimate is a local atmospheric zone where the climate differs
from the surrounding area. The term may refer to areas as small as a few
square feet (for example a garden bed) or as large as many square miles
(for example a valley). Microclimates exist, for example, near bodies of
water which may cool the local atmosphere, or in heavily urban areas
where brick, concrete, and asphalt absorb the sun's energy, heat up, and
reradiate that heat to the ambient air: the resulting urban heat island
is a kind of microclimate.
Another contributory factor to microclimate is the slope or aspect of an
area. South-facing slopes in the Northern Hemisphere and north-facing
slopes in the Southern Hemisphere are exposed to more direct sunlight
than opposite slopes and are therefore warmer for longer.
The area in a developed industrial park may vary greatly from a wooded
park nearby, as natural flora in parks absorb light and heat in leaves,
that a building roof or parking lot just radiates back into the air.
Advocates of solar energy argue that widespread use of solar collection
can mitigate overheating of urban environments by absorbing sunlight and
putting it to work instead of heating the local surface
objects.[citation needed]
A microclimate can offer an opportunity as a small growing region for
crops that cannot thrive in the broader area; this concept is often used
in permaculture practiced in northern temperate climates. Microclimates
can be used to the advantage of gardeners who carefully choose and
position their plants. Cities often raise the average temperature by
zoning, and a sheltered position can reduce the severity of winter. Roof
gardening, however, exposes plants to more extreme temperatures in both
summer and winter
Microclimates can also refer to purpose made environments, such as those
in a room or other enclosure. Microclimates are commonly created and
carefully maintained in museum display and storage environments. This
can be done using passive methods, such as silica gel, or with active
microclimate control devices.
Soil Types
The type of soil found in an area can also affect microclimates. For
example, soils heavy in clay can act like pavement, moderating the near
ground temperature. On the other hand; if soil has many air pockets,
then the heat could be trapped underneath the topsoil, resulting in the
increased possibility of frost at ground level [4]