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  1. AP Environmental Science
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Define Ecological Tolerance.

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce under a range of environmental conditions.

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Define Ecological Tolerance.
The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce under a range of environmental conditions.
Define Intolerance.
The inability of an organism to survive or reproduce under certain environmental conditions.
Define Environmental Factor.
Any condition in an environment that can affect the survival, growth, or reproduction of an organism.
Define Stress (in ecological terms).
A condition where an environmental factor is outside an organism's optimal range, forcing it to expend energy on survival rather than reproduction.
Define Abiotic Factors.
Non-living components of an environment, such as sunlight, water, soil composition, temperature, and nutrients.
Define Biotic Factors.
Living components of an environment, such as predators, competitors, and the availability of food.
Define High Ecological Tolerance.
The ability of a species to survive a wide range of environmental conditions; often generalists.
Define Low Ecological Tolerance.
The ability of a species to survive within a narrow range of environmental conditions; often specialists.
Why is ecological tolerance important?
It helps us understand species distribution and abundance, and predict how they might respond to environmental changes.
What is the 'Goldilocks Zone' in ecological tolerance?
The range of environmental conditions where an organism can thrive – not too much, not too little, but 'just right'.
How does stress affect reproduction?
Stress caused by environmental factors outside a species' tolerance range can reduce reproductive rates and decrease care for offspring.
How does climate change relate to ecological tolerance?
Changes in temperature and precipitation can push species outside their tolerance ranges, leading to decreased populations or extinction.
How does pollution relate to ecological tolerance?
Pollutants can create stressful conditions that reduce populations by exceeding their tolerance limits.
What happens when a species' tolerance is exceeded?
Can lead to reduced reproductive rates, decreased care for offspring, increased mortality, migration, or local extinction.
What is the difference between tolerance and preference?
Tolerance is the range of conditions an organism can survive in, while preference is the narrower range they thrive in.
How does ecological tolerance relate to biodiversity?
Species with narrow tolerance ranges are more vulnerable to extinction, impacting biodiversity.
What is the 'Goldilocks Zone' in ecological tolerance?
The range of environmental conditions where an organism can thrive; not too much, not too little, but 'just right'.
How does ecological tolerance affect species distribution?
Species are found in areas where environmental conditions fall within their tolerance range.
Why are species with low ecological tolerance more vulnerable?
They are more susceptible to extinction due to environmental changes because they can only survive within a narrow range of conditions.
How does stress impact reproduction?
Stress caused by environmental factors outside a species' tolerance range can lead to reduced reproductive rates and decreased care for offspring.
How does pollution relate to ecological tolerance?
Pollutants can create stressful conditions that reduce populations by pushing environmental factors outside of a species' tolerance range.
How is climate change related to ecological tolerance?
Changes in temperature and precipitation can push species outside their tolerance ranges, leading to decreased populations or migration.
What are the potential outcomes when a species experiences stress due to environmental factors?
Reduced reproductive rates, decreased care for offspring, increased mortality, migration, or local extinction.
What is the difference between tolerance and preference?
Tolerance is the range of conditions a species *can* survive in, while preference is the narrower range it *thrives* in.
How does ecological tolerance relate to biodiversity?
Species with narrow tolerance ranges are more vulnerable to extinction, which can decrease biodiversity.