What is ecological amplitude?

[amp_mcq option1=”The range of demands and consequent range of tolerance of a species to the fluctuations in environmental conditions” option2=”The range of tolerance of a species in constant environmental conditions” option3=”The range of demands of a species in constant environmental conditions” option4=”The range of ecological conditions found in a biome” correct=”option1″]

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2023

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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.

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