What is defined as the location where a species lives?

The correct answer is habitat, which refers to the specific environment or location where a species resides and finds the necessary resources for survival, such as food, water, shelter, and mates. A habitat encompasses the physical characteristics of the environment, including climate, soil type, vegetation, and geographic features that influence the creatures living there.

For example, a forest, desert, pond, or coral reef can all be considered habitats, each supporting different species that are adapted to thrive in those particular conditions. Understanding the concept of habitat is crucial in ecology as it helps in identifying how different species interact with their environment and the importance of conserving such environments for biodiversity.

In contrast, a niche denotes the role or function of a species within its ecosystem, including its interactions with other species and its impact on the environment. A community consists of all the populations of different species that live and interact within a particular habitat. An ecosystem encompasses both the living organisms (communities) and the non-living elements (like air, water, and soil) in a particular area, illustrating the complex relationships between different forms of life and their environment.