Importantly, there is no evolutionary change of the individual species in this case rather this is an ecological effect of species Y out-competing species X within the bounds of species Y's fundamental niche. Because of this, detection of the presence of niche differentiation (through competition) will be relatively easy. With this scenario, competition will continue indefinitely in the middle of the slope between these two species. For instance, species X has a fundamental niche of the entire slope of a hillside, but its realized niche is only the top portion of the slope because species Y, which is a better competitor but cannot survive on the top portion of the slope, has excluded it from the lower portion of the slope. Niche differentiation can arise from current competition. Several theories exist for how niche differentiation arises or evolves given these two possible outcomes.Ĭurrent competition (The Ghost of Competition Present) Over time, two competing species can either coexist, through niche differentiation or other means, or compete until one species becomes locally extinct. However, regardless of methods used, niches and competition can be distinctly difficult to measure quantitatively, and this makes detection and demonstration of niche differentiation difficult and complex. In addition, several mathematical models exist to quantify niche breadth, competition, and coexistence (Bastolla et al. To understand the mechanisms of niche differentiation and competition, much data must be gathered on how the two species interact, how they use their resources, and the type of ecosystem in which they exist, among other factors. This is often done through a combination of detailed ecological studies, controlled experiments (to determine the strength of competition), and mathematical models (Strong 1982, Leibold 1995). To answer questions about niche differentiation, it is necessary for ecologists to be able to detect, measure, and quantify the niches of different coexisting and competing species. There are limits to the amount of niche differentiation required for coexistence, and this can vary with the type of resource, the nature of the environment, and the amount of variation both within and between the species. A vague answer to this question is that the more similar two species are, the more finely balanced the suitability of their environment must be in order to allow coexistence. In reality, this still leaves the question of how much differentiation is needed for coexistence (Hutchinson 1959). Since niche differentiation concentrates competition within-species, due to a decrease in between-species competition, the Lotka-Volterra model predicts that niche differentiation of any degree will result in coexistence. The Lotka–Volterra equation states that two competing species can coexist when intra-specific (within species) competition is greater than inter-specific (between species) competition (Armstrong and McGehee 1981). However, species who live in similar areas typically compete with each other. Species who live in different areas compete less for food and other resources, which minimizes competition between species. For example, some live on the ground while others are arboreal. Although these lizards might occupy different locations, some species can be found inhabiting the same range, with up to 15 in certain areas. They avoid competition by occupying different physical locations. Īs an example of niche partitioning, several anole lizards in the Caribbean islands share common diets-mainly insects. Species can differentiate their niches in many ways, such as by consuming different foods, or using different areas of the environment. When two species differentiate their niches, they tend to compete less strongly, and are thus more likely to coexist. This rule also states that two species cannot occupy the same exact niche in a habitat and coexist together, at least in a stable manner. The competitive exclusion principle states that if two species with identical niches (ecological roles) compete, then one will inevitably drive the other to extinction. In ecology, niche differentiation (also known as niche segregation, niche separation and niche partitioning) refers to the process by which competing species use the environment differently in a way that helps them to coexist. It has been suggested that this article be merged with Niche segregation to Ecological niche.
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