Ecology Regents Practice Exam

An organism's range is primarily influenced by environmental conditions, availability of resources, and competition among species. Environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and habitat type determine whether an organism can survive and thrive in a particular area. For example, a species adapted to warm climates may not be able to survive in colder regions.

Resource availability, including food, water, and shelter, is critical for the survival of any species. If resources are scarce in an area, the population of that species may decrease, limiting its range. Competition with other organisms for the same resources can also restrict the presence of a species in certain locations. If another species is better adapted to the same habitat, it may outcompete the first species, leading to a smaller geographical range for the latter.

While weather patterns, human intervention, geographic isolation, and extinction rates can all affect populations and ecosystems, the primary factors that determine the limits of an organism's range are the specific environmental conditions, their access to necessary resources, and the dynamics of competition within the ecosystem.