Question

Two species have the same ecological niche. If they lived in the same habitat, both would compete until one species became predominant and the other became locally extinct. This process is summarized by which one of the following? A. Niche warfare B. Competitive exclusion principle C. Species selection principle D. Exclusion through competition theorem E. Exclusive ecological fractioning

Short answer

B. Competitive exclusion principle

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Scenario

Two species sharing the same ecological niche in the same habitat would lead to competition until one species predominates and the other goes extinct locally.

Recall Ecological Concepts

This scenario describes a well-known ecological principle. Consider concepts that involve competition and extinction resulting from species having identical niches.

Identify Key Principle

The principle that explains this scenario is well-documented in ecological studies. It addresses how species with the same niche cannot coexist because of direct competition, leading to the exclusion of one species.

Select the Correct Answer

From the given options: A. Niche warfare B. Competitive exclusion principle C. Species selection principle D. Exclusion through competition theorem E. Exclusive ecological fractioningThe correct terminology widely used in ecology for this process is 'Competitive exclusion principle'.

Key concepts

ecological niche

An ecological niche represents the role and position a species has in its environment. This includes everything the species does to survive, reproduce, and maintain its population within its habitat.

Think of an ecological niche like a job for a species. Just as each worker in a company has a specific role, each organism plays a specific role in its ecosystem.

• Resources: The food, water, and shelter that a species needs.


• Conditions: The climate, soil, and other non-living factors of the environment.


• Interactions: How the species interacts with other species, which could be through predation, competition, or cooperation.

Understanding this concept clarifies why certain species can only survive in certain environments. If two species have the same ecological niche, they will be in direct competition with each other for the same resources. This competition is central to explaining the competitive exclusion principle.

species competition

Species competition occurs when two or more species vie for the same essential resources. The battle for these resources determines which species will thrive and which might fail to maintain its population.

There are two main types of competition:

• Interspecific competition: This happens between individuals of different species.


• Intraspecific competition: This occurs between individuals of the same species.

When two species compete for the same niche, this direct competition can often be intense. Each species struggles to use the same food, space, and other resources essential for their survival. In this fierce rivalry, one species often outcompetes the other, leading to the exclusion or decline of the weaker competitor.

local extinction

Local extinction happens when a species no longer exists in a specific area but can still be found elsewhere in the world.

This concept is different from global extinction, where a species no longer exists anywhere on the planet. Local extinction can occur due to several factors, most notably species competition.

• Resource Scarcity: A species may go extinct in a local habitat if it can no longer compete for the resources against a more dominant species.


• Environmental Changes: Changes in the environment, like climate shifts or habitat destruction, can make the area unsuitable for certain species.

When two species compete for the same niche in the same habitat, it often leads to local extinction of the less competitive species. This phenomenon illustrates the importance of unique ecological niches for species survival.

habitat

A habitat is the natural environment where a species lives and thrives. It provides everything the species needs to survive: food, water, shelter, and the right climate conditions.

Different species have different habitat requirements.

• Examples of Habitats: Forests, deserts, oceans, and freshwater lakes.


• Specific Needs: Some species need specific types of vegetation, water sources, or climatic conditions that can only be found in certain habitats.

A habitat serves as the stage where an ecological niche is performed. The characteristics of a habitat can shape the niches available to species, influencing how they interact with each other through competition and other interactions. If the habitat does not provide the necessary resources for a species’ niche, the species will struggle to survive and reproduce.