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Ecological tolerance

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.

Analogy

Imagine you're at a party with different noise levels. Some people can tolerate loud music and still have fun, while others prefer quieter environments. Similarly, ecological tolerance is like an organism's ability to adapt and thrive within certain environmental conditions.

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.