Interspecific competition

Definition

Interspecific competition refers to the struggle between individuals of different species for the same limited resources, such as food, space, or light. This form of competition can significantly influence community structure and dynamics, impacting species diversity and population sizes. Interspecific competition often leads to competitive exclusion or resource partitioning, shaping the ecological interactions between different species in a community.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Interspecific competition can be either exploitative, where species compete indirectly for resources, or interference, where direct interactions occur between species.
2. This type of competition can lead to evolutionary changes in species as they adapt to minimize competition and better utilize available resources.
3. Interspecific competition is a key driver of natural selection and can influence community composition by determining which species thrive in a given environment.
4. When two species compete for the same resource and one has a slight advantage, it may lead to the decline or local extinction of the less competitive species.
5. The intensity of interspecific competition can vary depending on environmental conditions, resource availability, and the life history strategies of the competing species.

Review Questions

• How does interspecific competition impact biodiversity within a community?
  • Interspecific competition impacts biodiversity by influencing which species can coexist in a community. When different species compete for limited resources, it can lead to competitive exclusion, where one species outcompetes another, potentially leading to a decrease in biodiversity. Alternatively, it can result in resource partitioning, where species adapt to utilize different resources or niches, allowing greater diversity to persist within the community.
• Discuss the relationship between interspecific competition and the competitive exclusion principle.
  • The competitive exclusion principle is directly related to interspecific competition as it describes the outcomes when two species compete for identical resources. According to this principle, if two species are competing for the same resource and have identical ecological requirements, one will inevitably outcompete and exclude the other from that niche. This principle illustrates how interspecific competition shapes community dynamics by determining which species can survive and thrive under similar conditions.
• Evaluate how interspecific competition might drive evolutionary changes in coexisting species over time.
  • Interspecific competition drives evolutionary changes by creating selective pressures on competing species. As individuals strive to reduce competition for resources, they may develop adaptations that enhance their ability to exploit different niches or resources. Over time, this can lead to divergent evolution where species become more specialized in their roles within an ecosystem. Consequently, these evolutionary changes not only affect individual species but also influence community structure and biodiversity as competing species find ways to coexist without directly competing for the same limited resources.

Related terms

competitive exclusion principle: The ecological theory that states two species competing for the same limited resource cannot coexist at constant population values; one species will outcompete the other.

resource partitioning: The process by which competing species use the environment differently to coexist, thereby reducing competition by utilizing different resources or occupying different niches.

niche: The role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other organisms.