Problem 1
The introduced house sparrow (Passer domesticus) competes with the native house finch (Carpodacus mexicamus \()\) in the western United States for nesting sites, and the house finch seems to lose out more frequently in interference competition both at feeders and at nest sites, even if nesting sites are not limited. In 1940 the house finch was introduced into the eastern United States. Discuss the potential impact of this eastern introduction of the house finch on the house sparrow, and list the observations and experiments you would like to do to investigate this species interaction. Bennett (1990) summarizes data on these species.
Problem 3
Charles Darwin in The Origin of Species (1859 Chapter 3 ) states: As the species of the same genus usually have, though by no means invariably, much similarity in habits and constitution, and always in structure, the struggle will generally be more severe between them, if they come into competition with each other, than between the species of distinct genera. Discuss.
Problem 4
This chapter has discussed interspecific competition. What should be the relationships between interspecific competition and intraspecific competition? How could one measure the relative strengths of these two types of competition for a plant or animal species?
Problem 9
Competition for light in trees should produce an immediate benefit for individuals that are taller than their neighbors. Discuss the factors that may affect the height to which trees grow in terms of the costs and benefits of being tall. Koch (2004) discusses this problem.
