Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
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.
Related terms
Habitat suitability: This term describes how suitable or favorable a particular habitat is for a specific species based on its ecological requirements.
Optimum range: The optimum range refers to the specific set of environmental conditions where an organism thrives best in terms of growth rate, reproduction, and survival.
Limiting factors: Limiting factors are aspects of an environment that restrict or limit the growth or distribution of organisms within it. Examples include temperature extremes or availability of resources like food or water.