Competition Flashcards
Define competition
Competition occurs when organisms actively struggle for a resource that is in short supply
Define intra-specific competition
Intra-specific competition takes place between members of the same species
Define inter-specific competition
This occurs between members of different species.
what is the consequence of competition?
that the numbers of organisms is reduced.
What resources do plants compete for?
light, space, water and minerals
What resources do animals compete for?
food, water, shelter, territory and reproductive rights (mates).
Give an example of intra-specific competition
Rabbits compete with each other for food
Give an example of inter-specific competition
Blackbirds and thrushes compete for insects and snails while grass and buttercups compete for light
What are the two main types of competition?
Contest competition and scramble competition
Define contest competition
In contest competition, there is an active physical contest between two individual organisms.
It results in one individual getting the resource, while the second is left without it
Define scramble competition
In scramble competition, all of the competing individuals get some of the resource
Give an example of contest competition
The way in which animals such as birds or deer select and defend an area or territory. This territory is used for feeding, nesting, reproduction and raising young. It is usually selected and defended by the male animal.
What does displaying territorial behavior result in?
Only the fittest animals can reproduce. This helps to improve the species. It also reduces population growth and helps conserve food supplies.
What does scramble competition mean exactly with reproduction?
Scramble competition may mean that none of the individuals get as much of the resource as they need and they may not be able to grow and reproduce efficiently.
Give an example of scramble competition.
the overcrowding of seedlings in flowerbeds. Unless some are removed, none of them will get sufficient resources and they will grow poorly and fail to flower.
