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Niche - IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS) Definition

Reviewed by: Jacque Cartwright

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What is a niche in ESS?

In IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS), a niche refers to the unique role or position an organism occupies within an ecosystem. It includes all its interactions with the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.

It involves not only their habitat but also its functional role, such as feeding, behaviour, and interactions with other organisms (e.g. competition, symbiosis, etc).

A niche is unique to each species and helps to reduce competition in an ecosystem by allowing species to coexist. By occupying different niches, species can utilise different resources and thrive within the same habitat.

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Jacque Cartwright

Reviewer: Jacque Cartwright

Expertise: Geography Content Creator

Jacque graduated from the Open University with a BSc in Environmental Science and Geography before doing her PGCE with the University of St David’s, Swansea. Teaching is her passion and has taught across a wide range of specifications – GCSE/IGCSE and IB but particularly loves teaching the A-level Geography. For the past 5 years Jacque has been teaching online for international schools, and she knows what is needed to get the top scores on those pesky geography exams.

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