Gause's principle of competitive exclusion is based on the idea that ____.
A) larger organisms exclude smaller ones through competition as in the case of large trees controlling underbrush
B) competition for the same resources excludes species having different life styles
C) no two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely when resources are limited
D) two species can coexist if their niches do not overlap
E) species survival depends upon coevolution

Question

Gause's principle of competitive exclusion is based on the idea that ____.  
A) larger organisms exclude smaller ones through competition as in the case of large trees controlling underbrush
B) competition for the same resources excludes species having different life styles
C) no two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely when resources are limited
D) two species can coexist if their niches do not overlap
E) species survival depends upon coevolution

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Gause's principle of competitive exclusion states that no two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely when resources are limited. This means that if two species compete for the same resources and one is better adapted, it will outcompete and eventually exclude the other species. This is based on the fundamental idea that resources such as food, water, and space are finite, and therefore any competition for these resources will result in the exclusion of one species by another species.

Gause's Principle of Competitive Exclusion Is Based on the Idea