Why Can Varied Species Live Together in Particular Ecosystems?

Question

Consider the following question: > The Piney Woods of Eastern Texas is home to a wide variety of organisms ranging from the grass Longleaf Oats to coyotes. Which of the following best explains why these varied specifies can live together in this particular ecosystem? A.) Each species lives in a slightly different habitat B.) Each spices occupies a different niche C.) Each species functions at a different trophic level D.) A and B E.) A, B, and C I chose answer choice E with the reasoning that: Oats and Coyotes do not share the same habitat; they occupy a different niche -- Coyotes eat organisms, oats use photosynthesis; coyotes are at a completely different trophic level when compared to oats -- oats being primary producers. The answer choice E however is incorrect and I'd like to know why and what the correct answer should be. Is there a flaw in my logic?

Answer 1

B is the best answer to that question. Many species can coexist in the same area because they all have at least slightly different niches. An organism's niche is its role in the environment, which includes its habitat, its diet, its predators and prey, its behaviors, etc. If two organisms have the same niche, generally one will out-compete the other, forcing the other to change its niche or leave the area (a principle called competitive exclusion).

A is incorrect because these species are all in the same area so they share a habitat. C is incorrect because ecosystems can support many organisms of the same trophic level (lots of producers, many primary consumers, etc.). When you thought through it, you were overly focused on the coyotes and oats; those were just examples but they were referring to the whole community of organisms in the area.