Fundamental Niche Quiz

What is the fundamental niche of a species?

• The specific habitat where a species can survive

• The maximum population size a species can reach

• The full range of environmental conditions and resources in which a species can survive and reproduce.

• The average lifespan of a species

Explain the difference between fundamental niche and realized niche.

• The fundamental niche is the entire range of environmental conditions that a species can potentially occupy, while the realized niche is the actual range of environmental conditions that a species does occupy due to biotic interactions.

• The fundamental niche is the range of environmental conditions that a species does occupy due to biotic interactions, while the realized niche is the entire range of environmental conditions that a species can potentially occupy.

• The fundamental niche is the actual range of environmental conditions that a species can occupy, while the realized niche is the potential range of environmental conditions that a species does occupy.

• The fundamental niche and realized niche are the same and can be used interchangeably in ecological studies.

How does competition affect the fundamental niche of a species?

• Competition can expand the resources available to a species, thereby increasing its fundamental niche.

• Competition only affects the realized niche of a species, not the fundamental niche.

• Competition can limit the resources available to a species, thereby reducing its fundamental niche.

• Competition has no effect on the fundamental niche of a species.

Provide an example of a species and its fundamental niche.

• American black bear (Ursus americanus)

• Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)

• Koala bear (Phascolarctos cinereus)

• Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

What factors can limit a species' fundamental niche?

• Climate change, pollution, and symbiosis

• Geographic isolation, genetic mutation, and cooperation

• Competition, predation, and abiotic factors

• Habitat destruction, overpopulation, and disease

Discuss the concept of niche overlap and its significance in ecology.

• Niche overlap is the extent to which species share similar resources within an ecosystem, and it is significant in ecology as it only affects individual species and not the overall ecosystem.

• Niche overlap is the extent to which species share similar resources within an ecosystem, and it is significant in ecology as it can affect competition, coexistence, and community structure.

• Niche overlap is the extent to which species do not share any resources within an ecosystem, and it is significant in ecology as it promotes cooperation and coexistence.

• Niche overlap is the extent to which species share different resources within an ecosystem, and it is insignificant in ecology as it has no impact on competition or community structure.

Explain how human activities can impact the fundamental niche of a species.

• Human activities can alter the habitat and resources available to a species, impacting its fundamental niche.

• Fundamental niche of a species is not affected by human activities

• Species can adapt to any changes caused by human activities

• Human activities have no impact on the fundamental niche of a species

Describe the process of niche partitioning and its role in community ecology.

• Niche partitioning is the process of species avoiding each other in a habitat.

• Niche partitioning is the process where different species divide resources to coexist in the same habitat.

• Niche partitioning is the process of species competing for the same resources in a habitat.

• Niche partitioning is the process of species sharing the exact same resources in a habitat.

How does climate change influence the fundamental niche of species?

• Species adapt to climate change by staying in their original niche

• Climate change can alter temperature, precipitation, and other environmental factors, which can shift the fundamental niche of species.

• Climate change has no impact on the fundamental niche of species

• Fundamental niche of species remains unchanged regardless of climate change

Discuss the importance of understanding fundamental niche in conservation biology.

• Understanding fundamental niche is not important in conservation biology

• Conservation strategies can be effective without considering fundamental niche

• Fundamental niche only applies to a few species, so it's not relevant for conservation

• Understanding fundamental niche is important for identifying suitable habitats, designing effective conservation strategies, and predicting the impact of environmental changes on species survival.