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Ecological Niches

Ecological Niches

All organisms have a position within an ecosystem. The complete set of living and nonliving factors—including food resources, climate, and terrain—that define the position of a given organism are collectively referred to as the organism’s ecological niche.

Gene Flow

Gene Flow

Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.

Genetic Drift

Genetic Drift

Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).

Ecological Disturbance

Ecological Disturbance

An ecological disturbance is a temporary disruption in the environment resulting from abiotic, biotic, or anthropogenic factors, causing a pronounced change in an ecosystem. The impact of an ecological disturbance, which can depend on its intensity, frequency, and spatial distribution, plays a significant role in shaping the species diversity within the ecosystem.

Genetics of Speciation

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity

Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity

Published on: March 13, 2014

Ecological release exposes genetically based niche variation.

Nancy C Emery¹, D D Ackerly

¹Departments of Biological Sciences and Botany & Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907-2054, USA.

Ecology Letters

|July 22, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Ecological opportunity, like removing competitors, can reveal hidden genetic variation for niche evolution in plants. Competition may prevent niche evolution, promoting niche conservatism in established communities.

Keywords:

Competition Lasthenia fremontii ecological opportunity ecological release genetic variation niche conservatism niche evolution vernal pools

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Last Updated: Apr 26, 2026

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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

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Published on: February 3, 2023

Area of Science:

Ecology
Evolutionary Biology
Population Genetics

Background:

Understanding the drivers of ecological niche lability versus stasis is crucial for community and speciation dynamics.
The microevolutionary processes underlying niche evolution remain poorly understood, particularly the roles of competition and ecological opportunity.

Purpose of the Study:

To experimentally quantify the effects of competition and competitive release on microhabitat niche evolution in an annual plant population.
To investigate the genetic basis of niche variation and the direction of selection under different competitive conditions.

Main Methods:

A field experiment was conducted in California vernal pool wetlands using an annual plant population.
Competitors were removed in experimental plots to simulate competitive release.
Microhabitat niche variation, heritability, and selection were assessed in both experimental and control (competitor-present) populations.

Main Results:

Competitive release led to a significant increase in mean fitness and exposed genetically based niche variation.
Directional selection for niche evolution was detected in the competitive release treatment.
Neither significant genetic variation in the microhabitat niche nor directional selection for niche evolution was observed in the presence of competitors.

Conclusions:

Ecological opportunity, such as competitor removal, can rapidly activate latent, heritable niche variation, facilitating evolutionary responses.
Competition may act as a constraint on niche evolution, potentially contributing to niche conservatism in species-rich communities.