Description: Niche construction is the process by which organisms alter their own niches and those of others, thereby affecting their environment and ecological interactions. This concept refers to how species not only occupy a physical space in an ecosystem but also modify the conditions of that space through their activities. For example, beavers build dams that change the flow of rivers, creating new habitats for other species. Niche construction involves a series of complex interactions between organisms and their environment, where each species can influence the availability of resources, competition, and predation. This process is fundamental to ecosystem dynamics, as it can lead to the creation of new biological communities and species diversification. Additionally, niche construction is a key aspect of evolutionary ecology, as species adaptations can be driven by the modifications they make to their environment. In summary, niche construction is an ecological phenomenon that highlights the interdependence between organisms and their habitat, emphasizing the importance of biotic and abiotic interactions in the formation and maintenance of ecosystems.
