How do basic needs determine where organisms live?

Answer 1

Actually, I believe that should be in reverse. Where an organism lives will determine its basic needs.

For example, a camel lives in the desert. Because it is hot and dry there, the camel's basic need for water is changed to the point where it is no longer required to drink water on a daily basis. Instead the environment has allowed it to evolve the humps on its back to retain any water it does drink for future use.

As such, unlike many other animals, the camel can go up to 2 weeks without requiring the basic need to consume water.

Living organisms are often not the wanderers that humans became. They'll stick with one environment their whole lives unless something about their home changes and effects their ability to meet their basic needs.

If the change in the environment is gradual enough, then the organism may be able to evolve to adapt to its surroundings. If not, then sometimes it will move in search of some place better or go extinct in the process.

Therefore, an organism's basic needs do not determine its home, but rather its home will determine its basic needs!