Natural habitats and nichés

All living and non living things that affect an organism make up the environment... Both plants and animals are living because they grow, feed and reproduce to bring out a new generation of plants and animals. They are part of what we call our natural environment.

We only have to look around us to see those living examples of nature in the form of massive trees, colourful flowers, fields of grasses, ferns or mosses, beautiful birds and butterflies, frogs, insects, reptiles, mammals and many other creatures from the animal kingdom. However, our environment is not made up of only living things but also of non living things, some of which we cannot even see, such as the air we breathe.

As living things depend on each other and on other non living things for survival, it is essential to know more about our environment in order to protect our own existence. Everything in the environment affects the way an organism lives, and that includes us too. So, let's check out more about the living things in the environment and what habitats and niches mean, through Nature Trail...

We all know that plants need light, air, soil and water to live, while animals need food, air and water to survive. What is important to keep in mind is that the multitude of these plants and animals that make up our environment need their own special environment for them to survive. For instance, if you take a closer look at a pond, river or any other water body, you will realise that there are living things such as fish, insects and plants in these water bodies that are visible to the naked eyes.

However, there are some organisms in these water bodies that are not visible, but are an essential part of the community of plants and animals that live in those water bodies. It is similar in the sea, forests, deserts, the polar regions or any other area where living organisms are found. Each organism has its own environment.

The part of an environment where an organism lives is its habitat. The word habitat is derived from the Latin word habere, which means to have. Different species have the land as their habitat and the land has the species as its inhabitants.

If we look at a forest, we can see that there are many habitats in the forest. For instance, earthworms live in soil, birds and squirrels live in trees, and reptiles have their own habitats. The place where an organism lives or grows is its habitat and we need to protect the natural habitats of all fauna and flora around us.

Even in these various habitats, each animal or plant has its own niche (suitable place in life). Now what exactly is a niche? It is the part an organism plays in its own environment. Every living thing in a community has a niche. No two organisms have the same niche.

For example, the earthworm we hardly pay attention to, except when we want to dig it out as bait for fish perhaps, has its own niche; living in the soil, digging its burrow by swallowing soil, feeding on bits of leaves, seeds and decaying organisms in the soil, making tunnels in the soil and so on. The niche includes where the organism lives, how it lives and what it does.

We little realise the harm and long-term damage we do to the environment whenever we cut down trees, clear forest areas or pollute waterways. The destruction of natural habitats such as wetlands, salt marshes, meadows, the rainforests and other forests has not only caused discomfort to animals living in such areas, but also succeeded in wiping out entire species of plant and animal life as well.

Can we go on changing the natural habitats of animals and expect to protect biodiversity? The answer is no. We have to pay more attention to preserving the natural environment and the various habitats of animals, if we want to be environment- friendly.

We need not go far to see the impact the destruction of natural habitats has had on animals in particular, and us in general.

The ongoing conflict between the majestic elephants, the biggest mammals on land, and man in our country is evidence enough of the impact our careless actions have had on the smooth functioning of our natural environment.

Cleaning of forest land for agricultural and development purposes have led to the loss of animal habitats in many parts of the country, and naturally, the large animals such as elephants have no choice but to encroach into land which once was theirs and have now been taken over by the people.

It is the responsibility of those clearing jungle areas for development purposes to ensure that alternate habitats are provided, at least for the bigger animals in such areas earmarked for development projects; relocation of such animals is the ideal solution. But, who really worries about the loss of natural habitats of animals in the world today?

Perhaps just a handful of people, going by the vast destruction of forest cover taking place globally. Learn about the various types of natural habitats of animals and measures taken globally to help protect them. Remember, the natural environment begins in your own garden!