Biotic Interactions

Question 1

Competition

Answer 1

• As population density increases, the competition for resources becomes more intense
• Limits the increase in population size
• Two species cannot both occupy the same niche (have exactly the same requirements and the same role in community)

Question 2

What is the effect of two species with similar niches?

Answer 2

• One species or the other use the resources more efficiently and reproduce more rapidly.
• Results in the elimination of the inferior species
• The more similar two niches are the more likely it is that both species will utilise it the same way

Question 3

Predator- Prey relationships

Answer 3

• Removal of predator pressure allows the prey population to return to normal
• Until another influx which results in another large increase in population size
• More prey than predators
• More prey to be found by the predators so the prey decrease due to predation
• Predators cause prey to decrease so they is not enough for the predators to survive and predators start to decrease.