24.2 Competition Flashcards
Definition of Competition
when two or more individuals share any resource that is insufficient to satisfy all of there requirements fully, the competition results
Definition of intraspecific competition
individuals competing for resources who are the same species
Definition of interspecifc competition
individuals competing for resources who are a different species
Explain what happens during interspecific competition
-individuals of different species occupying the same niche will have a competitive environment over one another
-the interactions will result in the reduction of the niche (resource) available to both populations
-the less well adapted species is likely to be outcompeted
-if conditions remain the same, the less well adapted species will decline in number until it can no longer exist in habit alongside better adapted species
What is the competitive exclusion principle
Where two species compete for limited resources, with one competing more efficiently that ultimately eliminates the other
How did interspecific competition occur between the red and grey squirrels in the UK?
-competition between food and teritory
-grey squirrel was introduced in 1870s and its population quickly increased and red squirrel disappearing quickly
-this was because the grey squirrel can eat a wider range of food and is larger so can store more fat
-increased population of grey squirrels further rescues the food supply available to red squirrels reducing there ability to survive and reproduce
How does intraspecific competition occur?
-availability of the resources will determine the size of that population
-the greater the ability of the resource the larger the population
-this results in fluctuations in the number of organisms present in a particular population over time
Explain stage 1 of the intraspecific competition graph
-when a resource is plentiful in a habitat, all organisms have enough of the resource to survive and reproduce
-this results in an increase in population
Explain stage 2 of the intraspecific competition graph
-as a result of ab increased population, there are many more individuals that share the resource
-the resource is now limited and not enough is available for all organisms to survive
-the population will decrease in size
Explain stage 3 of the intraspecific competition graph
-less competition exists as the smaller population means less organism are competitions for the same resources
-more organisms survive and reproduce, resulting in population growth
