The niche has been defined in terms of the distribution of species, the functions they perform and the resources they
consume (reviewed in Sobero´n 2007). These definitions can be separated into two classes (Sobero´n 2007). The Grinnellian niche or non-interactive niche, is important for understanding the large-scale geographic distribution of species. The Eltonian niche focuses on biotic interactions and resource–consumer dynamics, often at more local scales. NC is relevant to both facets of the Hutchinsonian niche