Competitive Exclusion Principle

Competitive Exclusion Principle

The competitive exclusion principle was proposed in 1934 by a Russian ecologist Georgy Gause, hence the name ‘Gause’s Law’. According to this concept in ecology, two species with identical or similar niches, competing for the same resources, cannot coexist....

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....

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....

Intraspecific Competition

This type of competition occurs between organisms belonging to the same species as they compete for resources within a population or ecosystem. Types of intraspecific competition include:...

Strategies Helpful in Minimizing Competition

Various strategies in nature minimize competition within species, these include:...

Conclusion – Competitive Exclusion Principle

Competitive exclusion principle explains the dominance of one species over another. As different species compete for resources, organisms with advantageous traits hold a competitive advantage i.e., increased survival, reproduction, resource utilization, etc., and are more likely to succeed in their environment. Over time, these beneficial traits become more prevalent within populations through natural selection, leading to evolutionary changes, and the development of diverse ecosystems....

FAQs on Competitive Exclusion Principle

Who Formulated the Principle of Competitive Exclusion?...