Competition in Ecosystems

Bromeliads are small plants that grow attached to the sides of large trees high above the ground in warm, damp, and densely crowded tropical rain forests. Why do bromeliads do this?

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Answer explanation

Bromeliads grow this way in competition for light energy that they can use for photosynthesis. By being attached to high trees, they can reach the light higher up without competing with shorter plants.

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Examine the diagram provided. Based on the diagram, which organisms compete for food resources?

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Answer explanation

Mountain lions and coyotes compete for food resources because they both eat antelopes. Antelopes and squirrels compete as well because they both eat grass.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Refer to the tables provided. Which plants depend on and may compete for sandy soil in zone 9?

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Answer explanation

Black hickory and sweetgum would compete for soil in Zone 9 because they both require sandy soil with high calcium content.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

What 2 types of factors comprise an ecosystem?

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Answer explanation

An ecosystem consists of biotic factors, or organisms composed of cells, and abiotic (nonliving) factors such as temperature, sunlight, and water.

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What do organisms compete over in ecosystems?

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Answer explanation

Organisms can compete over both abiotic factors, such as access to water or sunlight (plants only), or biotic factors, such as a prey that two different predators both hunt.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Imagine an ecosystem in which two populations compete for the same resource. If the population of one of the species increases, what will most likely happen to the other population?

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Answer explanation

If one population increases, the other will most likely decrease since resources are limited.

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In an ecosystem, what do organisms and populations with similar needs compete over?

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Answer explanation

In any ecosystem, organisms and populations with similar requirements for food, water, oxygen, or other resources may compete with each other. Limited access to these resources consequently constrains their growth and reproduction.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

How does competition limit the amount of individuals in populations?

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Answer explanation

There is a finite amount of energy sources and water available in any ecosystem. Different organisms require both of those things in order to survive; therefore, competition causes some organisms to obtain the necessary amount of resources, while others die off because they could not obtain the resources.

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Eagles and grizzly bears live together in the same habitat. There will be competition between the eagles and the grizzly bears only if which of the following is true?

• Grizzly bears hibernate during the winter while eagles remain active.

• Pesticides in the fish population affect eagles’ eggs and decrease their population.

• Both grizzly bears and eagles feed on the same species of salmon.

• Laws prevent humans from being able to hunt eagles or grizzly bears.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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An increase in which of the following factors is likely to contribute to competition between two members of the same species living in a certain habitat?

• Population of the species

• 
  Overall size of the habitat

• Available food resources

• Annual rainfall

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