Summarize Ecological Species concept

Answer 1

The Ecological Species Concept (ESC) defines a species based on its ecological niche, which includes its role in the ecosystem, habitat requirements, and interactions with other organisms. This concept emphasizes that species are not just groups of organisms that can interbreed but are also defined by their adaptations to specific environmental conditions and their functions within an ecosystem. Under the ESC, a species is characterized by its ability to exploit a unique set of resources and maintain a distinct ecological role, thus highlighting the importance of ecological factors in the delineation of species. This concept is useful for understanding biodiversity and the evolutionary processes that shape species in their environments.