The table below lists terminologies (Column X) and concepts (Column Y) related to ecological niche.

Column X	Column Y
A. Niche complementarity	i. Species distribution explained by trophic levels and biotic interactions.
B. Niche packing	ii. Tendency for coexisting species which occupy a similar position along at least one niche dimension.
C. Community niche	iii. Tendency for coexisting species to fill the available space along important niche dimensions.
D. Eltonian niche	iv. Composition of niches of all individual species that co-occur at the same site.

Which one of the following options represents the correct match between column X and column Y?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is: A–ii, B–iii, C–iv, D–i

Explanation:

The question involves matching ecological terminologies (Column X) with their corresponding concepts (Column Y). Here's the correct matching according to the provided answer:

• A. Niche complementarity:

  • Concept: i​i. Tendency for coexisting species which occupy a similar position along at least one niche dimension. Niche complementarity is a critical ecological concept that explains how different species coexist by occupying distinct niches within an ecosystem.​

• B. Niche packing:

  • Concept: iii. Tendency for coexisting species to fill the available space along important niche dimensions. Niche packing refers to how different species adjust to utilize available resources efficiently, often leading to species filling similar ecological roles in a specific area.

• C. Community niche:

  • Concept: iv. Composition of niches of all individual species niches that co-occur at the same site. Community niche describes the collective roles and interactions of all species within an ecological community, reflecting how they coexist and use different ecological resources.

• D. Eltonian niche:

  • Concept: i. Species distribution explained by trophic levels and biotic interactions. Eltonian niche emphasizes the role of species in an ecosystem, specifically focusing on how they function in terms of their feeding roles (trophic levels) and their interactions with other species.

Information Booster:

1. Niche complementarity focuses on how species have evolved to utilize different resources and occupy distinct parts of the ecosystem, reducing competition.

2. Niche packing leads to more efficient resource utilization, as species adapt to similar or overlapping ecological roles, filling various dimensions of the niche space.

3. The community niche highlights the overall function of species in an ecosystem and their interactions with other species, promoting stability and coexistence.

4. The Eltonian niche explains the functional roles of species based on their feeding relationships and interactions with other species in the ecosystem.