Question

According to the principle of competitive exclusion, what outcome is expected when two species with identical niches compete for a resource? Why?

Short answer

Since two species with identical niches cannot live continuously in the same area, one species will be extinct locally. This happens because one species consumes resources more effectively and reproduces more quickly than the other.

Step-by-step solution

Ecological niche

An organism's ecological niche is the set of biotic and abiotic resources it exploits in its environment.A niche refers to a place with live organisms and all the materials necessary for life to continue.

Competition between two species is analyzed by comparing their ecological niches.

Competition

When various species compete for a resource that restricts each species' survival and reproduction, this species interaction is known as competition. For example, weeds in a garden fight for soil nutrients and water with garden plants.

In this type of interaction, both the species are lost as both cannot get sufficient resources.

Competitive exclusion

If two species occupy the same niche, they cannot coexist based on the competitive exclusion principle.It occurs when even a slight reproductive advantage causes the weaker rival to be eliminated locally.

Thus, two species competing for limited resources cannot live in the same place for a long period. As a result of natural selection, two species with overlapping niches may develop more distinct niches, resulting in resource partitioning.