ET Niche Partitioning 4/30/24

The ecological niches of three bird species are shown in the diagram. What is the advantage of each bird species having a different niche?

• As more birds feed higher in the tree, available energy increases.
• More abiotic resources are available for each bird.
• Predators are less likely to feed on birds in a variety of locations.
• There is less competition for food.

When put together, one organism outcompetes the other for resources.  This is an example of:

• competitive exclusion principle
• speciation
• biological niche
• evolution

Based on the graph shown, how can you tell sea otters are a keystone species?

• as the sea otter population decreases, biodiversity increases
• as sea otter population increases, biodiversity increases
• changes in the sea otter population have little effect on biodiversity 
• the sea otter population dereases due to the presence of urchins

What is niche partitioning?

• The process of combining resources to increase competition among species.

• The sharing of unlimited resources among different species to promote competition.

• The elimination of resources to reduce competition and allow coexistence.

• The division of limited resources among different species to reduce competition and allow coexistence.

How does niche partitioning help in reducing competition?

• By increasing the overall population size of competing species.

• By promoting cooperation and sharing of resources among different species.

• By allowing different species to specialize in different food sources or habitats, reducing direct competition for resources.

• By creating barriers that prevent different species from interacting with each other.

What happens when two species have overlapping niches?

• The two species will learn how to cooperate with each other.

• Increase in population size for both species.

• Competition for resources and potential decrease in population size or loss of one species in that ecosystem.

• There is no effect or impact on the population size or survival of either species.