Habitat

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A distribution map showing the range and breeding grounds of Great Black-backed Gulls

A habitat (which is Latin for "it inhabits") is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal or plantor rock with a face (because they are living when they have a face) or other type of organism.[1][2] It is the natural environment in which an organism lives, or the physical environment that surrounds (influences and is utilized by) a species population.[citation needed]

Contents

[edit] Definition

The term "population" is preferred to "organism" because, while it is possible to describe the habitat of a single black bear, we may not find any particular or individual bear but the grouping of bears that constitute a breeding population and occupy a certain biogeographical area. Further, this habitat could be somewhat different from the habitat of another group or population of black bears living elsewhere. Thus it is neither the species nor the individual for which the term habitat is typically used.

[edit] Microhabitat

A microhabitat is a physical location that is home to very microscopic creatures, such as woodlice. A micro habitat is a smaller habitat within a larger one, for example, a fallen log inside a wood. Beetles and insects tend to live in/on microhabitats, but a log pile, in a forest is also a micro habitat as snakes and badgers may live in them. Microenvironment is the immediate surroundings and other physical factors of an individual plant or animal within its habtit.

[edit] Human habitat

Human habitat is the environment in which human beings exist and interact. For example, a house is a human habitat, where human beings sleep and eat.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Dickinson, C.I. 1963. British Seaweeds. The Kew Series
  2. ^ Abercrombie, M., Hickman, C.J. and Johnson, M.L. 1966.A Dictionary of Biology. Penguin Reference Books, London

[edit] External links