Niche Overlap

Niche overlap refers to the extent to which different species use similar resources or occupy similar roles within an ecosystem. When two species have a high niche overlap, they rely on many of the same food sources, habitat spaces, or activities, which can lead to competition for those resources. Conversely, low overlap indicates that species have specialized roles or resources, reducing direct competition. Understanding niche overlap helps ecologists determine how species coexist and how changes in one species might impact others within their shared environment.