Types of Competitions in Competitive Exclusion
To fully understand the competitive exclusion principle it is important to understand the types of competitions that exist in nature. There are two kinds of competitions- interspecific competition and intraspecific competition, let’s discuss them in detail.
Interspecific Competition
This type of competition occurs between organisms belonging to different species as they compete for the same resources in an ecosystem. Types of interspecific competition include:
- Exploitative Competition: Also known as resource competition, organisms of different species compete for the same limited resources, such as food, water, or space. The superior and more competent species may consume these resources more efficiently and outcompete others, leading to reduced resources for competing species.
- Interference Competition: In this type of competition, species directly interfere with each other’s access to resources through aggressive behaviors, and other interactions that hinder resource availability.
- Apparent Competition: While this is not a direct competition for resources, here, two species may indirectly influence each other’s populations via interactions such as similar predators, pathogens, or other external factors, leading to competitive interactions without directly competing for the same resources.
Also Read: Ecotone and Its Importance
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