Topic: Ecological niche
Q6. Examine the concept of ecological niche with suitable examples. Analyse how niche specialisation increases species vulnerability under climate stress. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question
Rapid climate change is compressing ecological niches and heightening extinction risks for specialist species, making understanding niche dynamics crucial for conservation.Key demand of the question
The question requires first explaining ecological niche with relevant examples, and then analysing how niche specialisation directly magnifies climate vulnerability, without repeating definitions or examples.Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Give a crisp conceptual note on niche as a functional role and tolerance spectrum, linking it to present climate uncertainty.Body
- Ecological niche: Mention what constitutes niche (resource axis, trophic role, spatial use) and illustrate with 2–3 current species examples.
- Vulnerability under climate stress: Show why narrow tolerance bands, low adaptive plasticity and hostile climatic shifts make specialists more extinction-prone, with brief examples.
Conclusion
Provide a succinct future-oriented remark on climate corridors and adaptive habitat restoration.
