# functional niche and realized niche

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functional-niche-and-realized-niche/620261>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 28, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functional-niche-and-realized-niche/620261 "2012-04-28T19:34:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CyndiLouSan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@CyndiLouSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CyndiLouSan)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functional-niche-and-realized-niche/620261/1 "2012-04-28T19:34:52Z")

</div>

How will altering of species niche lead to the formation of a new species?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CyndiLouSan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@CyndiLouSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CyndiLouSan)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functional-niche-and-realized-niche/620261/2 "2012-04-28T19:41:46Z")

</div>

Is it because where they were living(niche) has been altered so much that they can no longer exist as the species they are so they have to change into a new species to exist?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functional-niche-and-realized-niche/620261/3 "2012-04-28T19:42:31Z")

</div>

This has a whiff of homework about it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functional-niche-and-realized-niche/620261/4 "2012-04-28T19:54:33Z")

</div>

> [@CyndiLouSan](#):
>
> Is it because where they were living(niche) has been altered so much that they can no longer exist as the species they are so they have to change into a new species to exist?

There’s no “have to” about it. If a niche is altered then different attributes may improve the chances of bearing progeny. Over time the differences may accumulate to the point where interbreeding is difficult. At that point we’d say - from the outside - that a new species appeared. That doesn’t mean that the old species had to die out. It’s all about probability and proportions. It may be true that if the alteration is severe enough, only those with the different attributes survive in sufficient numbers or that the newer types outcompete the older ones for that niche. But it’s always a matter of individuals living and dying and competing against one another.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functional-niche-and-realized-niche/620261/5 "2012-04-28T21:39:23Z")

</div>

> [@Smeghead](#):
>
> This has a whiff of homework about it.

[It does indeed!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=649896)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functional-niche-and-realized-niche/620261/6 "2012-04-28T23:12:04Z")

</div>

The Nietzsche that can be written is not the true Nietzsche. Once you realize that, you’ll be able to function.