Some individuals believe that the term "survival of the strongest" accurately reflects the concept of survival in nature. However, this interpretation is flawed when "strong" is understood solely as physical might. While physical strength and size can confer advantages in reproduction, competition for resources, and evasion from predators, a species can only thrive if its total resource needs for sustaining its strength do not exceed the available resources, particularly during times of scarcity or ecological upheaval. Based on the passage above, which of the following statements must be true?