Self-thinning

Question

Self-thinning

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Self-thinning is a process that occurs at high population densities, when individuals in a population compete for limited resources like water, nutrients and sunlight. As the population grows, the resources become increasingly scarce, leading to stunted growth and death of weaker individuals. The result is a reduced population density, with a smaller number of larger, healthier individuals. This process is commonly observed in plant populations and can also occur in some animal populations, particularly in sessile organisms like oysters or corals. Self-thinning is a type of contest competition, not scramble competition.

Self-Thinning