An ecological niche defines the unique role and position a species plays within its entire ecosystem, extending beyond merely its physical habitat. It encompasses all the biotic and abiotic factors that influence survival, including the range of resources utilized, the specific environmental conditions required, and the interactions with other species. Organisms within an ecosystem often coexist by minimizing direct competition for limited resources, a concept related to niche differentiation. The niche determines how an organism obtains energy, regulates its temperature, and interacts with the cycles of matter within its environment, defining its functional requirements for persistence.