6.3.2 Competition

Question 1

What is interspecific competition

Answer 1

Competition between two different species - e.g. two different plants competing for light. This results in less recourses available to both populations. Another example is the red and grey squirrel. In 1870, grey squirrels were introduced from America and when they increased in numbers, they rapidly outcompeted the red squirrels for food and space, causing their populations to decline.

Question 2

What is the competitive exclusion principle

Answer 2

If two different species are competing for the same resource, but one is better adapted than the other. The more adapted species will outcompete the worse one and their populations will decrease until no more can exist in the same habitat alongside the better adapted yutes

Question 3

What is intraspecific competition

Answer 3

When organisms within the same species compete for resources, I.e. mates.

Question 4

What are the stages of intraspecific competition?

Answer 4

When a resource is plentiful in a habitat, all organisms have enough of the resource to survive and reproduce, increasing population size

As a result of inc pop size, there are many more individuals that need to share these resources. Resources however are now limited and not enough is available for all others to survive. Pop will decrease.

Less competition now as a smaller population exists, meaning less organisms competing for the resources. Population will grow.

Repeat