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Question #45200
The Question
Two closely related species of insectivorous birds historically co-existed in a mature forest by foraging in different canopy zones, demonstrating resource partitioning. A severe environmental disturbance drastically reduces the forest to a small, uniform patch, making spatial and temporal partitioning physically impossible while resources become highly limiting. According to ecological principles, which of the following is the most likely outcome for these two populations?
Options
- A.
Complete niche overlap will occur under limiting resources, leading to the eventual elimination of the competitively inferior species as per Gause's principle.
- B.
Both species will undergo competitive release, expanding their realized niches to maximize resource utilization and ensure mutual co-existence.
- C.
They will exhibit enhanced resource partitioning, permanently shrinking their fundamental niches to avoid competitive exclusion.
- D.
Both populations will alter their intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) to perfectly share the remaining resources, maintaining logistic growth.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
Demographic Transition|Natality|Mortality
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Understanding that Resource Partitioning (e.g., MacArthur's warblers) is a behavioral mechanism to avoid Gause's Competitive Exclusion by shrinking the realized niche.
Common Misconception: Students often confuse the fundamental niche (physiological potential) with the realized niche (actual ecological role under competition), and falsely assume species will 'adapt to share' rather than face competitive exclusion when resources are strictly limiting.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Organisms and Populations - Class 12 |
| Concept | Population Growth Model Dynamics |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |