When looking at a competitive interaction between chipmunks and gray squirrels, you determine the competition coefficient for chipmunks is 0.25. How many chipmunks would need to be added to the chipmunk population to have the same effect as adding one gray squirrel to the gray squirrel population (relative to resource use and carrying capacity)?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The competition coefficient (α) is defined as the effect of one species on the population growth rate of another species, relative to the effect of its own population density on its own growth rate. In this case, if the competition coefficient for chipmunks is 0.25, it means that one gray squirrel has the same competitive effect as four chipmunks. Therefore, to match the effect of one gray squirrel, four chipmunks would need to be added to the chipmunk population. Answer choice A) 4 is the correct choice.

When Looking at a Competitive Interaction Between Chipmunks and Gray