Module 11: Ecological Tolerance

Ecological tolerance (aka fundamental niche)

The suite of abiotic conditions under which a species can survive, grow, and reproduce.

The fundamental niche establishes the ____ limits for the persistance of a species.

abiotic

Realized niche

The range of abiotic and biotic conditions under which a species actually lives.

Geographic range

Areas of the world in which a species lives.

Mass extinction

A large number of species that went extinct over a relatively short period of time.

How would the introduction of a predator species affect the distribution of a species?

The species will change its location, as its realized niche has changed.

Changes in abiotic conditions could lead to ____ ____ on an individual organism.

environmental stress

Environmental stress can bring about changes in ____ (physiology, behavior, reproductive ability) or cause death.

fitness

Range of tolerance

A span of abiotic conditions an individual or a whole species can endure.

If ocean temperatures increase, some organisms will not survive because the temperature exceeds their ____________.

range of ecological tolerance