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Ecological Niches The Ecological Niche of an organism describes how that particular individual "fits" into its ecosystem. Within its habitat, it must make use of available resources, withstand abitoic and biotic factors, with the help of adaptations. In other words, a niche is the role that the individual organism plays in its nonliving and living environment. Ecological niches are crucial in determining the effects of extinction, migration, environmental degradation on an ecosystem. Specialist species - species that have relatively tightly defined niches and have a narrow range of tolerance. Such species are better off when their preferred environment remains stable. Pandas are considered to be a specialist species. Generalist species - species that have broad niches and tolerate larger changes in the environment. Such species can survive in a variety of different conditions. Humans are considered to be a generalist species.
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