Question

In large natural ecosystems, competition between two species over time will usually result in

• A. Each species occupying a slightly different niche
• B. Equal numbers of each species persisting for a long time
• C. Death of all the members of one species within a short time
• D. Hybridization between the two species, resulting in a third species

Answer 1

The correct option is C Death of all the members of one species within a short time

• In inter-species competition, two species use the same limited resource.
• A species' niche is basically its ecological role, which is defined by the set of conditions, resources, and interactions it needs.
• The competitive exclusion principle says that two species can't coexist if they occupy exactly the same niche.
• Each species fits into an ecological community in its own special way and has its own tolerable ranges for many environmental factors.
• Species with identical niches also have identical needs, which means they would compete for precisely the same resources and in over time, it will result in death of one species.
  

So the correct option is 'death of all the members of one species within a short time'.