Ecological Niches: Linking Classical and Contemporary Approaches

摘要: Why do species live where they live? What determines the abundance and diversity of in a given area? role play functioning entire ecosystems? All these questions share single core concept - ecological niche. Although niche has fallen into disfavour among ecologists recent years, Jonathan M. Chase Mathew A. Leibold argue that is an ideal tool with which to unify disparate research theoretical approaches contemporary ecology. define as including both what organism needs from its environment how organism's activities shape environment. Drawing on theory consumer-resource interactions, well graphical analysis, develop framework for understanding niches flexible enough include variety small- large-scale processes, resource competition, predation stress community structure, biodiversity ecosystem function. Leibold's synthetic approach should interest wide range subdisciplines.