Chapter 9 begins our 2week study of population ecology begin

Chapter 9 begins our 2-week study of population ecology, beginning with the rather straightforward question of: how many (abundance) exist where (distribution)? The first concept underscores that organisms are found in places where their performance curves overlap environmental conditions. Indeed, most of the examples (kangaroos, tiger beetles, desert plants) show that temperature and water (remember these from chapters 5 and 6) limit species\' distributions. However, biotic interactions (such as feeding, pollinating, or competing) can further influence where a species is found, generally making the realized niche smaller than the fundamental niche. For each of the following examples, select whether it reveals a fundamental or realized niche.

Solution

The fundamental rules are for maximum organisms. These are general rules and concepts which followed by maximum organism. There are some exceptions and most probable they adopt the situation. For such organisms, realized concept follows which relate to survival of the fittest for those harsh environments. According this the answers as follow:

The first part is fundamental; kangaroo follow the fundamental concept

The second part is realized; tiger beetles evolve themselves in the harsh condition.

Third part is realized; the realizing phenomenon for the explained condition

Fourth part is fundamental; because in such conditions plants need to grow according the fundamental concept which suggests that under high temperature evaporation occur and it can avoid by having high water content or structural adaptation like in cactus.