What is the primary difference between a habitat and a niche?

The distinction between a habitat and a niche is fundamental in ecology. A habitat refers to the physical environment where an organism resides, encompassing factors such as soil type, climate, water availability, and vegetation. It essentially defines the geographic area or nature of the environment that supports various organisms.

On the other hand, a niche defines the role an organism plays within its habitat, including its behaviors, diet, interactions with other organisms, and its ecological contributions. This means that while a habitat can be thought of as the “address” of an organism, the niche is more about the organism's role in that environment.

The choice that accurately aligns with this understanding is that a habitat is the physical environment an organism lives in, capturing the essence of what a habitat represents in ecological terms.