2.4 - ecological tolerance

AP Environmental Science: Unit 2 – The Living World: Biodiversity

Topic: 2.4 Ecological Tolerance

Overview

  • Ecological Tolerance: The ability of an organism to withstand changes in its environment without suffering detrimental effects.

    • Represents the range of environmental conditions within which an organism can survive and reproduce successfully.

Key Concepts

  • Goldilocks Principle:

    • Finding ideal conditions for survival and prosperity in ecosystems.

    • Organisms thrive in environments that benefit them the most.

  • High vs. Low Ecological Tolerance:

    • High Ecological Tolerance:

      • Species can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions.

      • More adaptable to changes in their environment.

    • Low Ecological Tolerance:

      • Species have a narrow range of tolerated conditions.

      • More vulnerable to environmental changes.

Environmental Factors

  • Essential factors for survival in ecosystems:

    • Food

    • Water

    • Shelter

  • Impact of Environmental Stress:

    • Slight changes in environmental factors can lead to stress.

    • Stress diverts time and energy from reproduction and offspring care to survival.

    • Resulting effects:

      • Decreased reproductive rates.

      • Potential for population decline or migration due to unfavorable conditions.

Responses to Environmental Changes

  • Soil Composition Changes:

    • Species with low ecological tolerance may thrive in diverse soil compositions.

    • Species with high ecological tolerance may adapt to a wider range of soil compositions but could be limited by other factors.

    • Both species may not be affected by soil composition changes if ecological tolerance primarily relates to temperature variations.

Key Terms to Review

  • Ecological Tolerance: Ability to withstand environmental changes.

  • Environmental Change: Alterations in ecosystem components due to natural processes or human activities.

    • Can significantly impact biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

  • Population Size: Total number of individuals of a species in a specific area at a given time.

    • Important for understanding ecosystem dynamics and interactions.

Conclusion

Understanding ecological tolerance is crucial for assessing how species respond to environmental changes and the overall health