UPSC Prelims 2013·GS1·geography·ecology and environment

Which one of the following terms describes not only the physical space occupied by an organism, but also its functional role in the community of organisms?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. AEcotone
  2. BEcological nicheCorrect
  3. CHabitat
  4. DHome range

Explanation

The correct answer is Ecological Niche. Let's break down why: Ecological Niche: This term precisely describes an organism's 'role' or 'profession' in its community. It encompasses not just where an organism lives (its habitat), but also how it lives – what it eats, what eats it, its behavior, its reproductive strategies, its interactions with other species, and its impact on the environment. It's a multi-dimensional description. Habitat: This refers solely to the physical environment where an organism lives – its address. It doesn't describe what the organism *does* there. Ecotone: This is a transitional zone between two different ecological communities. While important, it doesn't define an organism's role. Home Range: This is the area a single animal uses regularly. It's about space used, not the organism's functional role within the community. Therefore, only the ecological niche captures both the physical space and the functional role of an organism.
geography: Which one of the following terms describes not only the physical space occupied by an organism, but also its functional

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