Problem 1
Some experiments concerning interspecific competition have monitored both the population densities of the species involved and their impact on resources. Why is it helpful to do both?
Problem 3
Define fundamental niche and realized niche. How do these concepts help us to understand the effects of competitors?
Problem 4
With the help of one plant and one animal example, explain how two species may coexist by holding different resources at levels that are too low for effective exploitation by the other species.
Problem 5
Define the Competitive Exclusion Principle. When we see coexisting species with different niches is it reasonable to conclude that this is the principle in action?
Problem 6
Explain how environmental heterogeneity may permit an apparently 'weak' competitor to coexist with a species that might be expected to exclude it.
Problem 7
What is the 'ghost of competition past'? Why is it impossible to prove an evolutionary effect of interspecific competition?
Problem 9
Define 'niche complementarity' and, with the help of an example, explain how it may help to account for the coexistence of many species in a community.
Problem 10
Discuss the pros and cons of the neutral model approach to evaluating the effects of competition on community composition.
