Niche overlap
- Pronunciation
- /NISH oh-ver-LAP/
- Category
- Ecology
- Singular
- Niche overlap
- Plural
- Niche overlaps
Definition
The degree to which two or more species utilize the same resources and habitat. High niche overlap indicates competition between species.
Etymology
Niche from Latin 'nixus' meaning 'to lean or rest upon' and 'overlap' referring to the overlapping of areas.
Example
High niche overlap between two species can lead to competitive exclusion.
Related Terms
- Competition
- Resource partitioning
- Species coexistence
Usage Notes
Niche overlap is a measure of how similar two species are in their ecological roles.