Competition (biology)

Bird War 1 (67158617)

Hirschkampf

Clone war of sea anemones 2-17-08-2

Competitive-20Exclusion-20Principle

Geospiza fortis

Competition in biology refers to the interaction between organisms or species, in which the fitness of one is lowered by the presence of another. This fundamental concept of ecology is based on the principle that multiple organisms seek the same limited resource, such as food, water, territory, or mates, leading to a decrease in the availability of these resources for all competitors. Competition can occur within a species, known as intraspecific competition, or between different species, known as interspecific competition.

Types of Competition

Intraspecific Competition

Intraspecific competition occurs when members of the same species compete for the same resources in an ecosystem. This type of competition can lead to a variety of outcomes, including the establishment of territories, changes in population density, and even the evolution of certain traits that may enhance an individual's ability to compete.

Interspecific Competition

Interspecific competition happens between individuals of different species. This form of competition can be more complex, as it involves interactions across species boundaries. The outcomes of interspecific competition can significantly affect the distribution and abundance of both species involved, potentially leading to the exclusion of one species from a particular area or niche, a phenomenon known as competitive exclusion.

Mechanisms of Competition

Competition can occur through several mechanisms:

• Exploitative competition involves organisms consuming the same resources, where the availability of the resource becomes limited as a result of the consumption by one.
• Interference competition occurs when organisms directly interact with one another to obtain resources, which can include aggressive behaviors or the establishment of territories.
• Apparent competition arises indirectly between two species preyed upon by the same predator. The presence of one species may increase the population of the predator, thereby increasing predation pressure on the other species.

Consequences of Competition

The consequences of competition in an ecosystem can be profound, affecting species distribution, population dynamics, and community structure. It can lead to the development of niche differentiation, where competing species adjust their use of resources and their ecological roles to minimize competition. In some cases, competition can lead to speciation, as populations of a species evolve to exploit different resources.

Models of Competition

Several theoretical models have been developed to describe and predict the outcomes of competition, including the Lotka-Volterra equations for interspecific competition and the logistic model for intraspecific competition. These models help ecologists understand the conditions under which one species might outcompete another and how competition can influence community composition and biodiversity.

See Also

• Predation
• Symbiosis
• Ecological niche
• Population dynamics