Chapter 13 begins the section of the textbook in which we ex

Chapter 13 begins the section of the textbook in which we examine multiple interacting species. Your textbook states that ecologists have \"questioned the assumption that competition is an all-important organizer of nature.\" Consequently, it remains important to examine evidence in the on-going debate about the role of competition. The chapter\'s main points are (not in this order): 1) Competition can influence the distribution and abundance of species - specifically as one factor making realized niches smaller than fundamental niches. 2) Species may coexist because they compete very little, and some of this may be due to character displacement as an evolutionary response to past competition. 3) Finally, in addition to covering interspecific competition between two different species, chapter 13 builds on population dynamics by considering intraspecific competition, a form of density-dependence that can result in logistic population growth. (In many terms, we have a lab on Lotka-Volterra equations, but we have replaced it this year to have more time with life table population modeling, including building your own model. Always tradeoffs!) On the general topic of competition, which statements are correct? True False Interspecific competition could affect the realized niche, whereas intraspecific competition would not Interspecific competition applies to antagonistic interactions between species, but intraspecific competition occurs within species. Interspecific competition can reduce population densities below what they would be from intraspecific competition alone. Interspecific competition involves interference, and intraspecific involves resource exploitation If the fundamental niches of two species overlap, then only intraspecific competition is expected to occur.

Solution

Statement

True/False

Interspecific competition could affect the realized niche, whereas intraspecific competition would not

TRUE

Interspecific competition applies to antagonistic interactions between species, but intraspecific competition occurs within species.

TRUE

Interspecific competition can reduce population densities below what they would be from intraspecific competition alone.

TRUE

Interspecific competition involves interference, and intraspecific involves resource exploitation

FALSE

If the fundamental niches of two species overlap, then only intraspecific competition is expected to occur.

FALSE

Statement	True/False
Interspecific competition could affect the realized niche, whereas intraspecific competition would not	TRUE
Interspecific competition applies to antagonistic interactions between species, but intraspecific competition occurs within species.	TRUE
Interspecific competition can reduce population densities below what they would be from intraspecific competition alone.	TRUE
Interspecific competition involves interference, and intraspecific involves resource exploitation	FALSE
If the fundamental niches of two species overlap, then only intraspecific competition is expected to occur.	FALSE