The Competitive Exclusion Principle States That

Question

The Competitive Exclusion Principle states that
A) If two competing species coexist in a stable environment, then they do so as a result of niche complementarity.
B) If two competing species coexist in a stable environment, then they do so as a result of niche differentiation.
C) If two competing species coexist in an unstable environment, then they do so as a result of niche complementarity.
D) If two competing species coexist in an unstable environment, then they do so as a result of niche differentiation.

Accepted Answer

The Competitive Exclusion Principle states that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist in the same place if other ecological factors are constant. One species will outcompete the other, leading to the elimination of the less competitive species. To avoid elimination, the competing species must evolve to have different niches, which is called niche differentiation. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.