What is habitat

As indicated in the introduction, there are several valid habitat definitions within the biological sciences. In general, to answer the doubt of What is the habitat of living beingswe can say that it is possible to define it as a space that presents appropriate conditions and components so that a species can survive and reproduce, that is, so that it can be perpetuated over time.

As for Habitat componentsthese can be biotic or abiotic. Within the components or biotic factorsthere are all those organisms that somehow interact with the species in question, either predators, herbivores, primary producers, and so on. In relation to Abiotic factorswe can mention the weather, relief, soil dynamics, geological factors, among others. To expand more this information we recommend you read these other articles about biotic factors: what are, characteristics, classification and examples and abiotic factors: what are, characteristics and examples.

With respect to the characteristics of habitats, these depend, to a large extent, on the needs of a species to survive and reproduce. Continue reading the following sections to learn the different types of habitats, their particularities and some examples.

The great biodiversity of living beings that exists, translates into a Great diversity of habitats present in the biosphere. Here we will see what is the terrestrial habitat and also what the aquatic habitat is, we will also classify each of them.

Earth habitat

They are those spaces located on the earth’s surface where biota lives. One of its peculiarities is the presence of oxygen in the atmosphere and the possibility of sudden changes in weather conditions, such as temperature and rainfall. In itself, the different types of existing terrestrial habitats are related to the different biomes present in the geosphere. Among them we can mention: meadow, forest, desert, savanna, mountain, broken and more.

Learn more about what is the terrestrial habitat, its types and more with this other article.

Aquatic habitat

They are those spaces where the biota that are located in the hydrosphere lives. They are characterized by presenting a more stable temperature than terrestrial habitats. They can be differentiated between:

• Marine habitats: which are found in the oceans and seas, the light only reaches the first 100 meters deep and the biota is adapted to living in salinity. Here you can learn more information about oceanic waters: what are, characteristics and importance, seabed: what are, types and photos and what are the water ecosystems of salt water.
• Continental water habitats: present in rivers, streams, lakes, lagoons and other bodies of water away from the ocean. The clarity and luminosity of this type of habitat depends on the turbidity of the water. In these other articles you can read more about continental waters: what are, characteristics and importance and about fresh water aquatic ecosystems with examples.

Now that you know the types of habitats that exist, in this section we will show you Habitats examples of some animals.

Polar bear habitat

Inhabits the polar areas of the Arctic (northern hemisphere). At present, its natural habitat is strongly threatened by climate change. We recommend reading about the polar ecosystem: characteristics, fauna and flora and is the polar bear in danger of extinction?

Panda bear habitat

Its primary food is the bamboo reeds, therefore, the bamboo forests that are in western China inhabited. Sadly, the Panda bear is in danger of extinction in the wild due, mainly, to the loss of habitat. Here we tell you more about the doubt. The panda is extinguished?

Habitat of the lion

The characteristic habitat of the lions are the savannas of Africa. In addition, they are often found in shrub or wooded areas within the savannas. We encourage you to read this other post about the lions are in danger of extinction?

Jaguar habitat

The Jaguar has a wide distribution: from Mexico to Argentina. Depending on its distribution, mangroves, grasslands, jungles, wetlands, height forests and more environments. Here you can learn about why the jaguar is in danger of extinction.

Condor habitat

The condor, unlike the other mentioned animals, presents an aerial-terrestrial habitat, that is, lives both in terrestrial and aerial environments. It is distributed throughout the Andes mountain range and here you can learn more about its current conservation situation: why the condor is in danger of extinction.

Dolphin habitat

While all dolphins have an aquatic habitat, most species inhabit oceanic or sea waters (salt water), that is, in a marine habitat, such as ocean dolphin (Delphinus Delphis), with a wide distribution in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. In contrast, some species have a continental water habitat (fresh water), such as pink dolphin (INIA GEOFFRENSIS), which is mainly in the Amazon river.

Now that you know what habitats are and how are those of these species, you may be interested in knowing even more reading this other article about the crocodile habitat: where do you live?

Often the definitions of habitat and ecological niche are similar and are used as a synonym. However, they really do not have the same meaning. Therefore and with the aim of avoiding confusion, here we will tell you What is an ecological niche and we will explain the differences with respect to the habitat.

The ecological niche can be defined as the Survival strategy of a specieswhich includes the way of feeding, hunting, competing with other species, defending predators, etc. In short, it is functional paper or role that occupies a species within the ecosystem. This definition is contrasted with the definition of habitat that, as mentioned above, refers only to the physical space occupied by the species.

In this way, two species can have the same habitat, but each of them has a unique ecological niche. However, it may happen that two species have a similar or even equal ecological niche. This will trigger an interaction between species called interesting competition, which will culminate when one of the species is the dominant one.

To learn more about these issues, do not hesitate to read these other ecology articles about what an ecological niche is with examples and difference between habitat and ecological niche with examples.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is habitatwe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.