Niche Recap… Niche The range of physical and biological conditions in which a species lives and the way the species obtains what it needs to survive and reproduce Resources Any necessity of life such as: Nutrients, Light, Food, or Space Physical Abiotic Factors it requires for survival Such as water, temp, light Biological Biotic Factors it requires for survival Such as reproduction, food getting.

Competition Occurs when: Competitive Exclusion Principle Organisms attempt to use the same limited ecological niche in the same place at the same time. Competitive Exclusion Principle No two species can occupy exactly the same niche in exactly the same habitat at exactly the same time.

What is the result if 2 species do attempt to occupy the same niche? One species will be better at competing for limited resources and will eventually exclude the other species.

Give an example of this: Instead of competing for similar resources, species usually DIVIDE them. Give an example of this: Three species of N. America warblers all live in the same trees and eat insects. But feed on different types of insects in different sections of the tree.   **By causing species to divide resources competition helps determine the number and kinds of species in a community and the niche each species occupies.