What does the fundamental niche represent?

The fundamental niche of a species represents the potential range of environmental conditions and resources that it can exploit without limitations from competition or other biotic interactions. This includes not only the various resources available, such as food and habitat, but also the physical and chemical conditions such as temperature, moisture, and light that can be tolerated by that species.

Answering B emphasizes that the fundamental niche is about the theoretical maximum capabilities of a species in ideal conditions, assuming no competition or predation occurs. This understanding allows ecologists to explore species' potential distributions and habitats without the constraints of their current interactions within an ecosystem. In contrast, the other options focus on actual conditions or specific current utilizations, which pertain to the realized niche instead. Thus, understanding the fundamental niche is crucial for studying species ecology and their adaptability to changing environments.