Question 1

The burrowing behavior of small mammals can affect the competitive hierarchy of plants.

Accepted Answer

Small mammals, such as rodents, can affect the competitive hierarchy of plants by creating burrows that alter the distribution of water, nutrients, and soil structure. This can lead to changes in plant growth and species composition, ultimately affecting the overall ecology of the area.

Question 2

Because of interspecific competition,species do not always occupy the part of their fundamental niche where conditions yield the highest growth rate,reproduction,or fitness.

Accepted Answer

Interspecific competition can limit a species' ability to occupy its entire fundamental niche. As a result, individuals may compete for resources in areas that are suboptimal for growth, reproduction, or fitness.

Question 3

As environmental conditions change,the relative competitive abilities of species change very little.

Accepted Answer

As environmental conditions change, certain species may have adaptations that allow them to thrive, while others may not be as well-suited and may struggle to survive. This can result in shifts in the competitive abilities of different species.

Question 4

The Lotka-Volterra competition models do not take into account variation between different environments.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Lotka-Volterra competition models do not take...

Question 5

Differences among species may relate to adaptation for the ability to exploit a certain environment or range of resources independent of competition.

Accepted Answer

Yes, differences among species can be related to their ability to adapt to a specific environment or resources, which can reduce competition and increase their chances of survival.

Question 6

Changes in the outcome of competition over an environmental gradient are mediated by multiple environmental variables.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that competition outcomes are influenced by multiple environmental factors along a gradient, indicating a complex relationship between the environment and competition.

Question 7

Studying competition in the laboratory is more complex than studying competition in the field.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Studying competition in the laboratory is more...

Question 8

Removing individuals during a competition experiment may have direct and indirect effects on the environment that are not intended or understood by the investigators and that can influence the response of the remaining species.

Accepted Answer

Removing individuals can cause changes in the availability of resources, alter predator-prey dynamics, and affect the behavior of the remaining individuals. These changes can in turn impact the response of the remaining species and potentially confound the results of the experiment.

Question 9

Two or more organisms using a portion of the same resource simultaneously is referred to as resource partitioning.

Accepted Answer

Two or more organisms using a portion of the same resource simultaneously is referred to as resource competition. Resource partitioning occurs when different species divide a niche to avoid competition for resources.

Quiz 14: Interspecific Competition