2.4 Ecological Tolerance
1 min read•december 27, 2022
Joshua Nielsen
Joshua Nielsen
Vocabulary
Tolerance
Intolerance
Environmental Factor
Stress
Description
Think about the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. That is what is all about; finding what, per ecosystem, are the ideal conditions for survival and prosperity. Most organisms exist in their environment simply because it benefits them the most to stay in those conditions. A species that is able to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions is said to have a high , while a species with a narrow range of tolerated conditions is said to have a low .
All populations need certain factors to survive. In no ecosystem is there zero food, zero water, or zero shelter. Although, what species would require an if their access to sunlight was stifled? Or, if soil composition was different? What about an ecosystem's proximity to predators or competition?
If there is slightly too much or too little of an environmental factor, the will decrease because individuals are stressed. Time and energy is delegated away from reproduction or care for offspring and instead directed at survival and self-care. Reproductive rates will plummet and the ecosystem is faced with intolerance, when members die off or leave due to conditions being unfavorable.
🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science Streams
Key Terms to Review (3)
Ecological tolerance
: Ecological tolerance refers to an organism's ability to withstand changes in its environment without suffering detrimental effects. It represents the range of environmental conditions within which an organism can survive and reproduce successfully.Environmental Change
: Environmental change refers to any alteration in the physical, chemical, or biological components of an ecosystem caused by natural processes or human activities. These changes can have profound effects on biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and human well-being.Population Size
: Population size refers to the total number of individuals of a particular species in a given area at a specific time. It is an important factor in understanding the dynamics and interactions within ecosystems.2.4 Ecological Tolerance
1 min read•december 27, 2022
Joshua Nielsen
Joshua Nielsen
Vocabulary
Tolerance
Intolerance
Environmental Factor
Stress
Description
Think about the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. That is what is all about; finding what, per ecosystem, are the ideal conditions for survival and prosperity. Most organisms exist in their environment simply because it benefits them the most to stay in those conditions. A species that is able to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions is said to have a high , while a species with a narrow range of tolerated conditions is said to have a low .
All populations need certain factors to survive. In no ecosystem is there zero food, zero water, or zero shelter. Although, what species would require an if their access to sunlight was stifled? Or, if soil composition was different? What about an ecosystem's proximity to predators or competition?
If there is slightly too much or too little of an environmental factor, the will decrease because individuals are stressed. Time and energy is delegated away from reproduction or care for offspring and instead directed at survival and self-care. Reproductive rates will plummet and the ecosystem is faced with intolerance, when members die off or leave due to conditions being unfavorable.
🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science Streams
Key Terms to Review (3)
Ecological tolerance
: Ecological tolerance refers to an organism's ability to withstand changes in its environment without suffering detrimental effects. It represents the range of environmental conditions within which an organism can survive and reproduce successfully.Environmental Change
: Environmental change refers to any alteration in the physical, chemical, or biological components of an ecosystem caused by natural processes or human activities. These changes can have profound effects on biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and human well-being.Population Size
: Population size refers to the total number of individuals of a particular species in a given area at a specific time. It is an important factor in understanding the dynamics and interactions within ecosystems.
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.