The difference in the fundamental niche and the realized niche is
A)the fundamental niche is the actual niche that a species occupies while the realized niche is not.
B)the fundamental niche is the entire niche that a species is capable of using while the realized niche is just what is being occupied.
C)the fundamental niche is smaller than the realized niche.
D)the realized niche is theoretical while the fundamental niche is the entire niche that an organism can use.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fundamental niche is the entire range of environmental conditions that a species can potentially occupy and the resources it can potentially use. The realized niche is the actual range of environmental conditions and resources that a species does occupy due to biotic interactions (such as competition, predation, and mutualism) as well as abiotic factors. Therefore, the fundamental niche is always larger than the realized niche, and choice B accurately describes this difference.

The Difference in the Fundamental Niche and the Realized Niche