What is ecological amplitude?

What is ecological amplitude?

The range of demands and consequent range of tolerance of a species to the fluctuations in environmental conditions
The range of tolerance of a species in constant environmental conditions
The range of demands of a species in constant environmental conditions
The range of ecological conditions found in a biome
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2023
The correct answer is The range of demands and consequent range of tolerance of a species to the fluctuations in environmental conditions.
Ecological amplitude refers to the range of environmental conditions (such as temperature, moisture, salinity, pH, etc.) within which a species can survive, grow, and reproduce. It is determined by the physiological tolerance limits of the species to fluctuations in these conditions and its specific resource requirements (demands).
Species with a wide ecological amplitude are called eurytopic and can inhabit diverse environments. Species with a narrow ecological amplitude are called stenotopic and are restricted to specific environmental conditions. Options B and C are incomplete as they focus only on tolerance or demands, not the combined range of conditions. Option D describes a characteristic of a biome, not a species’ ecological amplitude.