Ecological Tolerance and Niches (Fundamental vs. Realized)

What is the primary distinction between a fundamental niche and a realized niche? (Select Two)

• A fundamental niche includes abiotic factors, while a realized niche includes biotic interactions.

• A fundamental niche includes all possible conditions an organism can tolerate, while a realized niche is limited by competition and predation.

• A fundamental niche reflects an organism’s actual habitat, while a realized niche reflects potential habitats.

• A realized niche is larger than a fundamental niche due to adaptive interactions.

Which of the following factors most commonly result in the difference between an organism's fundamental niche and its realized niche? (Select Two)

• Availability of sunlight

• Competition with other species

• Predation pressure

• Range of temperatures

In what situation would the realized niche of an organism most closely resemble its fundamental niche? (Select Two)

• When competition and predation are minimal.

• When abiotic factors fall outside the organism’s tolerance range.

• When the organism is a specialist with very narrow abiotic tolerances.

• When resources are abundant and biotic pressures are absent.

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A fish species can tolerate temperatures between 10°C and 30°C and dissolved oxygen levels between 4 mg/L and 12 mg/L. However, it is restricted to cooler, oxygen-rich waters because of predation in warmer waters. What best describes this situation? (Select One)

• The fish’s realized niche is defined by competition.

• The fish’s realized niche is smaller than its fundamental niche.

• The fish’s fundamental niche is restricted by biotic interactions.

• The fish occupies its entire fundamental niche.

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Which of the following best describes an abiotic factor? (Select Two)

• Dissolved oxygen levels in a lake

• Competition between two bird species

• Temperature in a desert habitat

• Predation by wolves on deer

Which example demonstrates a realized niche? (Select Two)

• A tree species that can grow in a wide range of soil types but is limited to acidic soils due to competing species.

• A predator that hunts across all regions of its habitat, regardless of prey availability.

• A plant that grows only in shaded areas because it cannot tolerate direct sunlight.

• A bird species that thrives only in specific environments due to predation pressure in others.

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Which statement about abiotic factors and an organism’s niche is correct? (Select Two)

• Abiotic factors determine the boundaries of an organism’s fundamental niche.

• Abiotic factors limit the realized niche, while biotic factors define the fundamental niche.

• Abiotic factors affect the availability of resources but do not determine tolerance ranges.

• Abiotic factors influence both the fundamental and realized niches.

8. What happens when an organism experiences conditions near the edge of its tolerance range? (Select Two)

• A. The organism’s ability to reproduce is reduced.

• B. The organism may survive, but it is unlikely to thrive.

• C. The organism expands its realized niche to adapt to new conditions.

• D. The organism's fundamental niche shrinks.

• • The organism’s ability to reproduce is reduced.

• • The organism may survive, but it is unlikely to thrive.

• • The organism expands its realized niche to adapt to new conditions.

• • The organism's fundamental niche shrinks.

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Which scenario shows the effect of competition on a realized niche? (Select Two)

• A lizard species lives only in cool, shady areas of a forest, avoiding sunny areas occupied by larger lizards.

• • A bird species feeds on insects in both trees and shrubs, regardless of other species' presence.

• • A fish species is restricted to low-oxygen zones because other fish species dominate high-oxygen areas.

• • A butterfly species can only live in one type of habitat due to a narrow range of abiotic tolerance.

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A specialist species is most likely to: (Select Two)

• Thrive in environments with minimal competition.

• Be highly adaptable to changing environmental conditions.

• Be restricted to a small realized niche.

• Have a narrow fundamental niche.