Ecosystem-habitat  

 

A habitat exists within an ecosystem and is a place where a population lives at a given time. For example, stick insects live in eucalyptus trees, during their adult lives, so their habitat is the eucalyptus trees within the forest.

Generally habitas can be described as being aquatic (water) or terrestrial (land).

 


 

In an open fresh water lake habitat, for example, various organisms use different parts of the habitat. Crocodiles use the entire water system and feed on birds and fish, while small fish use the entire water system but feed on plants at the bottom of the lake. Ducks use the surface of the water but dive only to feed on plants near the surface.

 

One type of insect might feed on the grass leaves while another feeds on rotting matter just beneath the grass. The different parts of the habitat that each organism exploits is known as its microhabitat.

Competition for finite resources, usually means that one organism occupies a habitat or microhabitat.

Habitats often exist within ecosystems

What is the driving force why habitats or microhabitats are occupied by only one organism?

A very specific part of a habitat occupied by an organism is known as its

A general area in which an organism lives is known as its

Identify three microhabitats in the picture shown on the right and a possible organism that occupies the microhabitat..