Example of Competitive Exclusion Principle
If a lake is filled with fish and there are two species of birds with similar niches (diets, feeding habits, etc.) that start competing for the fish. The species that can access the fish more efficiently might consume most of the fish and over time, this could lead to the exclusion or elimination of the presence of the less dominant bird species.
Another instance of competitive exclusion is the replacement of grey squirrels by red squirrels in Britain. Diseases, competitive exclusion, and the absence of hazelnuts all contributed to the decline in the population of red squirrels. Red squirrels were eventually replaced by grey squirrels, which were able to adapt to their surroundings with ease.
Also Read: Ecological Succession
Competitive Exclusion Principle
Competitive Exclusion Principle, also known as Gause’s law, states that two species that compete for the same resource cannot coexist; over time, one species may outcompete the other, leading to the elimination of the inferior species. In ecology, there are two types of competition: Intraspecies and Interspecies competition. Competition is a vital stage in the sequence of ecological succession. It can benefit the broader ecosystem by promoting biodiversity through niche partitioning.
This article discusses the significance of the competitive exclusion principle and the types of competition that exist in nature, competition-minimizing strategies that species use to efficiently enhance the biodiversity of their ecosystem.
Table of Content
- Competitive Exclusion Principle
- Example of Competitive Exclusion Principle
- Types of Competitions in Competitive Exclusion
- Intraspecific Competition
- Strategies Helpful in Minimizing Competition