In the biological realm of the contemporary world, there exists various habitats and niches in the ecosystem. Human beings make a very big percentage of the world’s population and as such, this species plays a very important role in the bionetwork. Every individual in the world lives in a specific habitat with a subjective niche. Switching from one particular habitat or niche to another may have both positive and negative implications to a person. The purpose of this essay is to provide a comprehensive comparison of the characteristics that will provide me, as an ecologist with a survival advantage in two different environments. Consequently, I will analyze my personal niche as a student to that of a botanist studying endangered plants in a tropical rainforest.
Personal Niche and Assigned Niche
My current niche as a student comes with many roles, responsibilities and activities. There are a number of things that need to be accomplished in this niche. As a student, I have to take two classes that are two hours long each day. In addition to this, I also have to attend group discussions and seminars for students in our course. I must also submit assignments within specific deadlines and do assessments at specific dates in the semester. In my assigned niche as a botanist studying endangered plants in a tropical rainforest, my role would be to conduct research and visit the rainforest so that I can determine the plant species that are endangered. According to Corlett & Primack (2011) , a botanist needs to conduct a background check on the rainforest and do a comprehensive research of the environment. The similarity between the two niches comes with the research studies that I would have to conduct. Conversely, the food that I will eat will come from grocery stores whereas in the rainforest, I would either have to carry my own or know the available foods. In addition to this, the mode of transport would be different for both niches.
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Personal Habitat and Assigned Habitat
My personal habitat consists of a modern environment where there is infrastructural development. There are roads, hospitals, schools, a library, and residential homes, infrastructure including transport and communication systems. People move around using cars, bicycles, motorbikes, and public means. Conversely, the rainforest environment consists of many plant and animal species with no sort of infrastructural development. People move around on foot and acquire their food from the existing plants and animals. Homes in my personal niche are constructed using bricks, stones and wood whereas tribes living in the rainforest make their homes from bamboos, wood and grass.
Characteristics that provide a Survival Advantage in each Niche or Habitat
In the current niche, all my school work requires me to have direct access to computer and internet services for research purposes. My survival advantages here would be access to medical care, fresh and natural foods and water, and communication equipment such as cellphones. In the assigned niche, the survival advantages involve knowing the areas, plants and animals that are deadly. In addition to this, hunting adaptations and the ability to discover food sources and medicines from plants is also important. Adjustment to the temperatures and humidity of the tropical rainforest would also boost my chances of survival ( Tagliaferro, 2007 ).
Human Adaptations to the two Habitats and Niches
In this town, people have learnt to buy food in plenty so that they can keep stock as a result of the long distance to the nearest market. Consequently, the town authority had to establish a farmer’s market for the purpose of availing crops and groceries to the residents. Cars are also needed for transportation purposes and conducting daily activities. Conversely, the assigned niche requires people to know the type of foods that can be eaten and those that can be used for medicinal purposes. In addition to this, housing structures can also be obtained from tress species such as bamboos.
Difficulties living in the Assigned Niche
The main difficulty that I would get from my assigned niche would be economic deforestation. The rising demand for timber and wood products may lead to the depletion and destruction of the rain forest and habitats increasing the risk for the extinction of endangered species ( Corlett & Primack, 2011 ). In addition to this, living in a rainforest may be challenging because I may suffer from water borne diseases, poisonous insect bites, snake bites and other hazardous creatures.
Cultural Adaptations
In my personal niche, cultural adaptations have pushed the residents to acquire mobile phones, televisions, internet access services and transport means to get around the town. Social amenities are also available in the niche, providing people with various means of entertainment. In the assigned niche, people have to use plants for making baskets and ropes. Other plant species are used for medicinal purposes.
Conclusion
From the discussion provided above, it is evident that there is a big difference in my personal niche and the assigned niche as a botanist. Various adaptations would be required for survival in the tropical rainforest because the environment is secluded with no physical amenities or Medicare services. There are differences in terms of the infrastructure and social amenities for both habitats and niches. Consequently, the roles and responsibilities will be affected be altered based on the cultural adaptations and survival techniques that are adopted.
References
Corlett, R., & Primack, R. B. (2011). Tropical rain forests: An ecological and biogeographical comparison . Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Tagliaferro, L. (2007). Explore the tropical rain forest . Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
