Competitive Exclusion and Competition in Ecology

Flashcards covering vocabulary related to competitive exclusion, competition, and ecological principles.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

States that no two species can occupy the same niche in the same habitat at the same time; one will outcompete the other.

Intraspecific Competition

Competition among members of the same species for limited resources.

Interspecific Competition

Competition between members of different species for limited resources.

P. aurelia

A species of paramecium that outcompetes P. caudatum when both are grown together.

P. caudatum

A species of paramecium that is outcompeted by P. aurelia when both are grown together.

Niche

The role or function of a species within its ecosystem, including its use of resources.

Dividing Resources

The process by which competing species utilize different resources to coexist in the same habitat.

Resource Specialization

Adaptations by species to use specific resources in different ways to minimize competition.

Population Density

The number of individuals of a species per unit area within a habitat.

Competition

The struggle between organisms for the same limited resources in an ecosystem.