What term describes the actual niche that a species occupies?

The term that describes the actual niche occupied by a species is the realized niche. The realized niche encompasses all the conditions under which a species can survive and reproduce given the presence of competitors, predators, and other interacting species in its environment. This concept recognizes that while a species may have the potential to occupy a broader range of habitats and resources (the fundamental niche), its actual lifestyle and role are often limited by ecological interactions.

The realized niche reflects the real-world conditions in which the species thrives, taking into account the constraints posed by its biotic and abiotic environment. As species interact with one another, they may adapt or shift their behaviors, leading to a more specific occupation of resources and habitat where they can coexist with other species. This makes the realized niche essential in understanding community ecology and the relationships between different organisms within an ecosystem.