Which of the following would be the best experiment for an ecologist to conduct to test whether a species is occupying all of its fundamental niche or only a portion of it?
A) Study the temperature range and humidity requirements of the species.
B) Observe if the species expands its range after the removal of a competitor.
C) Measure the change in reproductive success when the species is subjected to environmental stress.
D) Observe if the niche size changes after the introduction of a similar non-native species.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Observing if the species expands its range after the removal of a competitor can help determine if the species was previously restricted by competition, thus occupying only a portion of its fundamental niche. If the species expands its range, it suggests that competition was limiting its distribution within its fundamental niche.

Which of the Following Would Be the Best Experiment for an Ecologist