Ecology

Habitat

The natural environment or physical location where an organism lives. The 'address' of a species, as opposed to its niche (ecological role).

Biological Context

Habitat includes physical features (temperature, moisture, substrate), vegetation structure, and available resources. Habitat loss is a leading cause of extinction. Species may have different habitat requirements at different life stages (e.g., salmon need streams for spawning, oceans for adult life).

Business Application

In business, habitat is where an organization operates: geographic markets, industry verticals, customer segments, and distribution channels.

Related Terms

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ecologyenvironmentfundamental