What are niches and competitive exclusion?
1 Answer
A Niche is a role that a species plays in an ecosystem.
Competitive Exclusion is a process by which one species eliminates another species from using the same resources to survive by being better suited for the role.
Explanation:
The species that ends up occupying the niche is the one that is better adapted to the complete set of variables that defines the niche.
As an ecosystem changes, species within the ecosystem must either adapt or they will be in danger of losing their niche. Competitive exclusion comes into play in situations where other organisms may be better equipped to deal with the changed ecosystem.
If an ecosystem changes too dramatically, it could be possible that NO species could survive. Competitive exclusion would not occur in this situation.
