What does a realized niche reflect?

A realized niche reflects the actual resources an organism occupies and how it interacts with the biotic and abiotic factors in its environment. It represents the actual conditions under which species exist, including competition, predation, and environmental constraints that may limit the range of resources they can utilize.

This concept differs from the fundamental niche, which is the full range of conditions and resources an organism could theoretically use in the absence of competition and other limiting factors. The realized niche focuses on the specific conditions and resources that are actively utilized by the organism, highlighting the influences of other species and the environment on its survival and behavior.

Thus, the realized niche is crucial for understanding the dynamics of ecosystems, as it reveals how species adapt and thrive within their specific environments.