NPTEL Wildlife Ecology Practice Exam 2025 – All-In-One Study Guide to Master Wildlife Conservation!

The principle that states "the geographical distribution of a species will be controlled by that environmental factor for which the organism has the narrowest range of tolerance" refers to Shelford's law of tolerance. This law highlights the idea that each species has certain environmental parameters that it can tolerate, such as temperature, humidity, and nutrient levels. When an environmental factor falls outside this tolerance range, it can limit the species' ability to survive and reproduce, thus influencing its distribution.

For example, if a species can survive within a specific temperature range but is unable to thrive outside of it, the geographical distribution of that species will be limited to areas where the temperature remains within that range. This is crucial in understanding how environmental factors shape ecosystems and influence biodiversity. The concept is pivotal in wildlife ecology, as it helps predict how species may respond to changes in their habitats.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of ecological limits and relationships to environmental resources or conditions. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why Shelford's law of tolerance specifically applies to the control of species distribution based on their narrow environmental tolerances.