Competition

Definition

Competition refers to the rivalry among individuals or groups for limited resources, such as food, mates, or territory. This concept is crucial in understanding how different strategies evolve in a population, particularly when considering how these strategies can affect the fitness of organisms in an ecosystem. In biological contexts, competition drives the natural selection process, influencing which traits become favorable for survival and reproduction.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Competition can take various forms, including intraspecific (within the same species) and interspecific (between different species), each impacting evolution differently.
2. In evolutionary theory, competition influences the development of traits and behaviors that increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction.
3. Different competitive strategies can coexist within a population; for example, some individuals may be more aggressive while others may adopt a more passive approach.
4. The concept of niche differentiation arises from competition, where species evolve to exploit different resources or habitats to minimize direct competition.
5. Competition can lead to competitive exclusion, where one species outcompetes another for resources, potentially leading to the latter's extinction in that particular niche.

Review Questions

• How does competition among individuals influence the process of natural selection?
  • Competition among individuals plays a significant role in natural selection by determining which traits are favored for survival and reproduction. When resources are limited, individuals with advantageous traits that enhance their ability to compete—such as strength, speed, or cleverness—are more likely to survive and pass those traits on to their offspring. Over time, this leads to a population that is better adapted to its environment, demonstrating how competition shapes evolutionary outcomes.
• Discuss how evolutionary stable strategies relate to competition and provide an example.
  • Evolutionary stable strategies (ESS) are critical in understanding how competition works within populations. An ESS is a strategy that, when adopted by a population, cannot be easily replaced by an alternative strategy due to its superior fitness. For example, consider two competing strategies in a population of animals: 'hawk' (aggressive) and 'dove' (peaceful). If both strategies coexist at stable frequencies, they represent an ESS because neither can fully invade the other without losing fitness.
• Evaluate the impact of competitive exclusion on biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
  • Competitive exclusion can significantly impact biodiversity and ecosystem stability by determining which species can coexist within a particular habitat. When one species outcompetes another for resources, it may lead to the latter's extinction in that niche, reducing overall biodiversity. However, this process also drives adaptation and niche differentiation among remaining species, which can promote diversity in the long run. By understanding competitive exclusion's effects, we can better appreciate how ecosystems maintain balance despite competitive pressures.

Related terms

Natural Selection: The process through which certain traits become more or less common in a population based on their impact on survival and reproduction.

Evolutionary Stable Strategy (ESS): A strategy that, if adopted by a population, cannot be invaded by any alternative strategy because it yields the highest fitness when played against itself.

Cooperation: A behavior in which individuals work together to achieve shared benefits, often contrasting with competitive behaviors in evolutionary contexts.