Competition

Definition

Competition is an ecological interaction where two or more species vie for the same resources, such as food, space, or light, which are limited in availability. This interaction can lead to significant changes in population dynamics and community structures, often influencing which species thrive or decline in a given environment. Understanding competition is essential to address the impacts of invasive species on native populations and recognize the role of keystone species in maintaining ecosystem balance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Competition can be intra-specific (within the same species) or inter-specific (between different species), impacting survival and reproduction rates.
2. Invasive species often outcompete native species for resources, leading to declines or extinctions of local populations.
3. Keystone species may help regulate competition by maintaining the balance of ecosystems, preventing any one species from dominating.
4. The competitive exclusion principle states that two species competing for the same limited resources cannot coexist indefinitely; one will outcompete the other.
5. Habitat destruction and climate change can intensify competition by altering resource availability and increasing stress on native species.

Review Questions

• How does competition influence the dynamics between invasive species and native populations?
  • Competition significantly affects the relationship between invasive species and native populations by allowing invasives to exploit available resources more effectively. When invasive species enter a new ecosystem, they often have no natural predators and can rapidly outcompete native species for food, space, and other essential resources. This competitive advantage can lead to declines in native populations, altering community structures and potentially resulting in ecosystem imbalances.
• Discuss how keystone species can mitigate competitive interactions within an ecosystem.
  • Keystone species play a vital role in reducing competitive interactions within ecosystems by maintaining balance among various species. They often do this through predation or resource availability, helping to control population sizes of dominant competitors. For instance, if a keystone predator reduces the numbers of a competitive prey species, it allows other less competitive species to thrive, thereby promoting biodiversity and stability within the ecosystem.
• Evaluate the implications of resource partitioning as a strategy for competing species and how this relates to ecosystem health.
  • Resource partitioning serves as an effective strategy for competing species to coexist by minimizing direct competition over limited resources. By utilizing different resources or exploiting them in varied ways, species can reduce competition and stabilize their populations. This strategy not only enhances biodiversity but also contributes to overall ecosystem health. In ecosystems where resource partitioning occurs effectively, there is often greater resilience to environmental changes and disturbances, demonstrating how diverse interactions like competition shape ecological communities.

Related terms

Invasive Species: Species that are non-native to an ecosystem and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.

Keystone Species: A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance, often playing a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community.

Resource Partitioning: The process by which competing species use different resources or use the same resource in different ways to reduce competition and coexist.