UPSC Prelims 2013 · GS Paper I
Question 48: Environment and Ecology
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?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
An ecological niche is the full role of a species in its community: where it lives, what it eats, when it is active, how it reproduces and how it interacts with other species and with its environment. A habitat is only the physical place; an ecotone is a transition zone between two ecosystems; a home range is the area an animal moves over in its normal activities.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. An ecotone is a transition zone between two ecosystems.
- (b) Correct. The niche covers both the space and the functional role.
- (c) Wrong. Habitat is only the physical place.
- (d) Wrong. Home range is only the area an animal normally uses.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.