Download Range of Tolerance

Range of Tolerance
• There is an optimum range of each
abiotic component of a biome for each
species
• Individuals in a population may have
slightly different tolerances
Law of Tolerance
The levels, abundance and distribution of
a species in an ecosystem are
determined by whether the levels of
one or more physical or chemical
factors fall within the ranger tolerated
by that species.
Translation: Don’t expect to find polar
bears in Tahiti
Common limiting factors
• Limiting factors – more important in regulating
population growth than other factors.
• Terrestrial ecosystems (on land)
– precipitation
– temperature
– soil nutrients
Limiting Factor Principle
Too much or too little of any abiotic
factor can limit or prevent growth of a
population, even if all other factors are
at or near the optimum range of
tolerance.
Translation: If the restaurant serves
really spicy food, don’t look for Anglos
Limiting Factor Principle
• Too much of a particular abiotic factor
can also be a limiting factor
• Limiting factors can change
Limiting Factor Principle
• Aquatic or marine life zones also have
limiting factors
–
–
–
–
–
Sunlight
Dissolved oxygen
Nutrient availability
Salinity
Temperature
Living Components of the
Biome
• Metabolism – all living creatures capture
and transform matter and energy from
their environment to supply their needs
for survival, growth and reproduction