Which of the following best describes the concept of 'tolerance' in ecology?

The concept of 'tolerance' in ecology primarily refers to the capacity of organisms to survive and reproduce across a range of environmental conditions. This definition encompasses a species' ability to withstand various stresses such as temperature fluctuations, humidity levels, and availability of resources like water and nutrients. Organisms exhibit different levels of tolerance to specific environmental factors, which influences their distribution and abundance in different habitats.

For instance, a plant species might have a high tolerance for drought, enabling it to survive in arid conditions, whereas another species might thrive only in wet environments. This flexibility allows species to adapt to changing conditions and can also influence the dynamics of communities within ecosystems. Therefore, option B accurately captures the essence of ecological tolerance, highlighting the variation in organisms' responses to different environmental factors.