Ecological Niche and Competition Overview

Questions and Answers

What is an ecological niche?

A niche describes how an organism fits into the environment, including where it lives and what it does there.

What does a niche include?

All abiotic and biotic conditions required for the organism to survive, reproduce and maintain a viable population.

No two species can occupy exactly the same niche.

True

What happens when populations of two species occupy the same niche?

Initially, one species will have a competitive advantage over the other species. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs to the population of the advantaged species?

The population will increase while the population of the other species will diminish. Signup and view all the answers

Complete removal of one of the two species occurs under any condition.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the competitive exclusion principle?

It states that where two species are competing for limited resources, the species that uses the resources more effectively will ultimately eliminate the other. Signup and view all the answers

No two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely when resources are limited.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecological Niche Overview

An ecological niche defines how an organism interacts with its environment and encompasses its habitat and role.
It includes the requirements for survival, reproduction, and population maintenance both from biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) elements.

Competition and Niche Occupation

The principle of competitive exclusion states that no two species can occupy the exact same niche simultaneously.
When two species share the same niche, one will generally outcompete the other, leading to a population increase in the more advantageous species.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

As the advantageous species thrives, the less successful species will experience a decline in its population.
Persistent competition can result in the complete extinction of one species within the shared niche if conditions do not change.

Resource Utilization in Competition

In scenarios of limited resources, the species that more efficiently utilizes those resources is likely to eliminate its competitor.
This dynamic highlights the importance of resource allocation in ecological communities and species interactions.

Description

This quiz explores the concept of ecological niches, focusing on how organisms interact with their environments and the implications of competition. It covers the principles of competitive exclusion and resource utilization, highlighting the dynamics of species populations. Test your knowledge on these fundamental ecological concepts!