Question

When two species compete for the same ecological niche, they cannot coexist because they are competing for the exact same resources. One species is always slightly better adapted for the niche than the other, so over time the disadvantaged species will either go extinct or shift to a different ecological niche. This situation highlights the concept of _______.
a.
carrying capacity
b.
competitive exclusion
c.
limiting factor
d.
biotic factor

Answer 1

The situation you described highlights the concept of **b. competitive exclusion**. This principle states that two species competing for the same limited resources cannot coexist indefinitely if their ecological niches are identical; one will outcompete the other, leading to the extinction or niche shift of the less adapted species.