Ecology Competition Concepts

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Questions and Answers

What is competition?

An interaction that occurs only among different species

An interaction that negatively affects organisms when they rely on shared, limited resources (correct)

An interaction promoting resource sharing

An interaction that benefits organisms

What is intraspecific competition?

Competition between members of the same species.

What is interspecific competition?

Competition between members of different species.

What are the two ways to compete?

Interference and exploitation Signup and view all the answers

What is interference in competition?

Direct conflict, aggression, or allelopathy. Signup and view all the answers

What is exploitation in competition?

Indirect competition where an organism uses a resource faster or more efficiently. Signup and view all the answers

What are sublethal effects?

Any negative effect that does not cause death. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Competitive Exclusion Principle state?

No coexistence; the better of the two species will reproduce more quickly, driving the weaker competitor to extinction. Signup and view all the answers

What promotes coexistence among competing species?

Selection favors individuals that use parts of the fundamental niche in which competition is lowest. Signup and view all the answers

What is niche partitioning?

Avoiding competition is more energy-efficient than competing. Signup and view all the answers

What is character displacement?

A change in the phenotype of a population as a result of selection for reduced competition. Signup and view all the answers

What is exponential population growth?

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What is logistic growth?

Incorporates intraspecific competition. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Lotka-Volterra competition model describe?

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What are invasive competitors?

Invasive species that are good competitors and out-compete native species for resources. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two foundational facts to life?

Success is achieved by passing on genes, and energy is limited Signup and view all the answers

What does selection favor in terms of energy allocation?

Individuals that allocate energy in a way that leads to greater reproductive success. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two ways a parent could invest in offspring?

Bigger offspring size or more offspring (greater number). Signup and view all the answers

What does survival entail in terms of energy allocation?

Allocate energy to living longer. Signup and view all the answers

What is reproductive effort?

Energy allocated to production of and care for offspring. Signup and view all the answers

What does k-selected refer to?

Competitive ability more important than reproduction; efficient use of limited resources. Signup and view all the answers

What does r-selected refer to?

Reproduction more important than competitive ability. Signup and view all the answers

How is relative offspring size calculated?

Mass of offspring (I) divided by mass of parent (m). Signup and view all the answers

How is relative reproduction lifespan calculated?

Time allocated to reproduction divided by time to reproductive maturity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Competition

Interaction negatively impacts organisms relying on shared, limited resources.

Intraspecific Competition

Occurs between members of the same species.
Involves both kin and non-kin.
Considered the strongest form of competition.

Interspecific Competition

Takes place between individuals of different species.

Competition Methods

Interference: Direct competition involving conflict or aggression.
Exploitation: Indirect competition where organisms use resources more efficiently without contact.

Subelethal Effects

Negative impacts on organisms that do not lead to death, such as slowed growth or reduced reproductive capacity.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

Predicts that no coexistence leads to the more efficient species reproducing faster, potentially driving the weaker species to extinction.

Coexistence

Selection favors individuals that exploit parts of their fundamental niche with minimal competition.

Niche Partitioning

Avoiding competition conserves energy compared to engaging in direct competition.
Traits that enhance success in lower competition niches are favored.

Character Displacement

Phenotypic changes in populations result from selection pressure to reduce competition.

Population Growth

Exponential Growth: Unchecked population increase models.
Logistic Growth: Accounts for intraspecific competition, stabilizing population as resources become limited.

Lotka-Volterra Competition Model

A mathematical model that describes the dynamics of biological systems in which two species compete for the same resources.

Invasive Competitors

Invasive species are significant environmental threats due to their competitive advantage over native species for resources.

Foundational Facts to Life

Gene Transmission: Success is defined by the ability to pass on genes.
Energy Limitation: Organisms must make energy trade-offs to survive.

Selection of Energy Allocation

Natural selection favors individuals that allocate energy toward strategies enhancing reproductive success.

Parental Investment Strategies

Investment can be made in either larger offspring size or in increasing the number of offspring.

Survival Strategy

Energy allocation towards longevity enhances survival prospects.

Reproductive Effort

Energy dedicated to producing and nurturing offspring.

K-Selected Species

Competitive ability prioritized over reproduction; efficient resource use leads to equilibrium.

R-Selected Species

Emphasis on reproductive output rather than competitive ability.

Relative Offspring Size

Offspring mass as a proportion of parental mass, indicating investment in size.

Relative Reproductive Life Span

The ratio of time spent reproducing to the time taken to reach reproductive maturity, reflecting life history strategies.

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Description

Test your knowledge about competition in ecology, focusing on both intraspecific and interspecific competition. Explore how these interactions affect species and the environment, including methods of competition, sublethal effects, and the competitive exclusion principle.