Which of the following best defines a niche in ecology?

A niche in ecology refers to the specific role or function an organism plays within its ecosystem, encompassing its behaviors, resources it uses, and its interactions with other organisms. This concept goes beyond just where an organism lives (which would be its habitat) and includes how it contributes to the environment and interacts with other species, such as through predation, competition, or symbiosis.

For example, a beaver not only resides in a particular habitat like a riverbank, but it also plays a critical role in its ecosystem by building dams that create ponds, which provide various habitats for other organisms. This multifaceted understanding of an organism's niche includes both its physical environment and its functional role, effectively illustrating the concept of ecological niches in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem balance.