Understanding Ecological Niches and Factors

What is the definition of carrying capacity in an ecological context?

• The maximum number of species that can coexist in a habitat

• The maximum amount of a population an environment can support

• The minimum number of individuals needed for a population to survive

• The average number of offspring produced by a species

Which principle states that two species with the same niche cannot coexist in the same habitat?

• Resource Partitioning Principle

• Competitive Exclusion Principle

• Limiting Factor Principle

• Keystone Species Principle

Identify a density-dependent factor that affects population size.

• Flood

• Temperature

• Competition

• Storm

What is an example of a density-independent factor affecting a population?

• Disease

• Predation

• Food availability

• Storm

What type of interaction occurs within a species and affects its population growth?

• Interspecific

• Intraspecific

• Symbiotic

• Parasitic

Which term describes a species that, if removed, would cause the ecosystem to collapse?

• Limiting factor

• Keystone species

• Fundamental niche

• Realized niche

What is a limiting factor in an ecological context?

• A factor that enhances the growth of a population

• A factor that restricts the growth or abundance of a population

• A factor that determines the fundamental niche of a species

• A factor that increases the carrying capacity of an environment

What is the difference between a fundamental niche and a realized niche?

• Fundamental niche is the actual habitat; realized niche is the ideal habitat

• Fundamental niche is the ideal habitat; realized niche is the actual habitat

• Both are the same and interchangeable

• Fundamental niche is larger than the realized niche

What is resource partitioning?

• The division of resources between different species to ensure coexistence

• The competition for resources within a species

• The elimination of one species by another in the same niche

• The sharing of resources within a single species

Which of the following is an example of an interspecific interaction?

• Mating within a species

• Competition within a species

• Predation between different species

• Disease spread within a species