​Defending a territory is energetically expensive, and animals should invest in it only if it is profitable. A sunbird species depends on nectar-rich flowers, making them a critical resource. Males may defend territories with these flowers against rivals while allowing females access, thereby maintaining exclusive mating opportunities.

The columns (P to S) below represent characteristics of the resources and their possible variants (i and ii).

Column P	Column Q	Column R	Column S
Abundance of flowers in the habitat	Distribution of flowers in the habitat	Nectar depletion rate of flowers	Nectar renewal rate of flowers
i. High	i. Uniform	i. High	i. High
ii. Low	ii. Patchy	ii. Low	ii. Low

From the given options, choose the combination of plant characteristics that makes defending a territory most profitable for males.

Correct option is B

Explanation:

Males will only defend a territory if it provides a significant benefit in terms of nectar availability and female attraction. The best conditions for profitable territory defense involve a high nectar supply, patchy distribution (which makes it easier to monopolize resources), and sustainable nectar availability.

Optimal Conditions for Maximum Benefit:

1. High flower abundance (P - i)
• More flowers mean more nectar, making the territory a valuable resource.
• If flower abundance were low (P - ii), defending the area would not be beneficial as nectar would be scarce.
2. Patchy flower distribution (Q - ii)
• Patchy distribution means flowers are clustered in specific areas, making them easier to defend.
• If flowers were uniformly distributed (Q - i), it would be difficult to monopolize any one area, reducing the advantage of territorial defense.
3. Low nectar depletion rate (R - ii)
• If nectar depletion is low, nectar remains available longer, ensuring a sustainable resource.
• If depletion were high (R - i), nectar would run out quickly, reducing the profitability of defending a patch.
4. High nectar renewal rate (S - i)
• A high renewal rate means that flowers quickly regenerate nectar, ensuring a continuous food supply.
• If renewal were low (S - ii), once nectar is consumed, the flowers would take too long to replenish, making the territory less attractive.