Fundamental niche

Definition
noun
The full range of environmental conditions and resources an organism can possibly occupy and use, especially when limiting factors are absent in its habitat.
Supplement
The fundamental niche describes the potential area and resources an organism is capable of using. But the presence of limiting factors such as direct competition with other organisms, the organism tends to occupy a niche narrower than this.
Word origin: fundamental + niche
Compare: realized niche

See also: ecological niche.