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Multiple Choice
In ecology, the total number of organisms that an ecosystem can support is known as its:
A
biotic potential
B
ecological niche
C
carrying capacity
D
tolerance range
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the key terms in the problem: 'biotic potential,' 'ecological niche,' 'carrying capacity,' and 'tolerance range.' Each term has a specific meaning in ecology.
Define 'carrying capacity': This is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an ecosystem can sustainably support, given the available resources such as food, water, and shelter.
Contrast 'carrying capacity' with 'biotic potential': Biotic potential refers to the maximum reproductive capacity of a species under ideal conditions, without limiting factors like resource scarcity or predation.
Explain why 'ecological niche' is not the correct answer: An ecological niche describes the role and position of a species within its environment, including its interactions with other organisms and its use of resources, but it does not refer to population limits.
Clarify why 'tolerance range' is not the correct answer: Tolerance range refers to the range of environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, pH) within which a species can survive, but it does not directly relate to the total number of organisms an ecosystem can support.