Realized niche width

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Realized niché width is a phrase relating to ecology defining the actual space that an organism inhabits and the resources it can access as a result of limiting pressures from other species (e.g. superior competitors).

Niche width v. realized niche width

The niche width of an organism refers to a theoretical range of conditions that a species could inhabit and successfully survive and reproduce with no competition. The niche width is defined as the parameters of this range which are determined by biotic and abiotic factors such as suitable climate and appropriate food sources.

The niche width often differs from the area that a species actually inhabits, which is called its realized niche width. This is due to interspecific competition with other species within their ecosystem and other biotic and abiotic limiting factors. A species realized niche is usually much narrower than its theoretical niche width as it is forced to adapt its niche around superior competing species.

The physical area where a species lives, is its "habitat." The abstract hypercube that defines the limits of environmental features essential to that species' survival, is its "niche." (ECOLOGY, Begon,Harper,Townsend)

References

Paul A. Keddy (1983). "Shoreline Vegetation in Axe Lake, Ontario: Effects of Exposure on Zonation Patterns". Ecology 64 (2): 331–344. doi:10.2307/1937080. JSTOR 1937080. 

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