I. According to the Liebig's law of minimum, the growth is regulated by the limited factors i.e., resources in scarcity and not by the resources in abundance.
II. Shelford's law of tolerance states that, only the factors present in excess/abundance can affect the growth, development of an organism or rate of biological process.
III. Shelford's law of tolerance states that, an organism's success is based on a complex set of conditions and that each organism has a certain minimum, maximum, and optimum levels of environmental factor or combination of factors that determine success.
The correct choice is
Let's analyze each statement regarding ecological laws:
Statement I: Liebig's Law of Minimum
This statement accurately describes Liebig's Law of Minimum. It posits that the growth or development of an organism is controlled not by the total amount of resources available, but by the scarcest resource (the limiting factor). Resources present in abundance do not influence growth if a different resource is lacking.
Verdict: Correct
Statement II: Shelford's Law of Tolerance (Incorrect Interpretation)
This statement incorrectly interprets Shelford's Law of Tolerance. The law states that an organism's survival and success are determined by the minimum, maximum, and optimum levels of various environmental factors. It implies that factors outside this tolerance range, whether too low (scarcity) or too high (excess), can negatively impact the organism. This statement wrongly suggests that *only* excess factors affect growth.
Verdict: Incorrect
Statement III: Shelford's Law of Tolerance (Correct Interpretation)
This statement correctly explains Shelford's Law of Tolerance. It highlights that an organism's success is dependent on a range of environmental conditions. Each organism has specific minimum, maximum, and optimal levels for environmental factors (like temperature, light, or nutrients). Exceeding the minimum or maximum threshold limits success.
Verdict: Correct
Conclusion on Correct Statements
Based on the analysis:
- Statement I is correct.
- Statement II is incorrect.
- Statement III is correct.
Therefore, statements I and III are correct, while statement II is incorrect.
Important Questions from Ecosystem Ecology
- In context of ecosystems, which one of the following is NOT a correct statement?
- Carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle and phosphorus cycle play important role in the ecosystems. Which of the following statement(s) is/are NOT correct about the phosphorus cycle?
- A species whose impact on an ecosystem is disproportionately large in comparison to its population is called ______ species.
