Chapter 56, Problem 1U

Studies that demonstrate that species living in an ecological community change independently of one another in space and time

a. indicate that the species arrived in the community at different times.

b. indicate that the species’ realized niches are regulated by different aspects of the environment.

c. suggest species interactions are the sole determinant of which species coexist in a community.

d. None of the choices is correct.

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

An ecological community is defined as the naturally occurring group of native plants, animals and other organisms in a biological system. All the organisms are interacting with each other in a unique habitat. Their structure, composition and distribution are determined by changes in environmental conditions such climacteric conditions, altitude, and climate and water availability.

Answer to Problem 1U

Correct answer:

The species living in an ecological community changes independently of one another in space and time shows that the species realized niches that are regulated by different aspects of the environment. Therefore, option b. is correct.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct statement

A niche is defined as the fitness of species that can survive under specific environmental condition. It describes that how organisms in a population use natural resources for their survival. Realized niche is the actual set of environmental condition which involves the presence and absence of other species, so that species can establish a stable population.

Option b. is given as “indicate that the species’ realized niches are regulated by different aspects of the environment”.

As, “the realized niche of a species are smaller in size because of interspecific interactions”, is the right answer.

Hence, option b. is correct.

Reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option a. is given as “indicate that the species arrived in the community at different times”.

During evolutionary changes different species are evolved due environmental conditions that tend to adapt that environment. So, it is a wrong answer.

Option c. is given as “suggest species interactions are the sole determinants of which species coexist in a community”.

Species are evolved by the changes in environmental factors and they adapt that change to survive and produce their offspring. So, it is a wrong answer.

Option d. is given as “None of the choices are correct”.

Species in a community are evolved with time and space. For their survival they also use natural resources. So, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options a., c. and d. are incorrect.

Conclusion

An ecological community is composed of different types of population that are interacting with one another. There are four levels that are involved in ecology such as organism, population, ecosystem and community.