Competition in an ecosystem - definition

All organisms in an environment have specific needs such as food, shelter, space, etc. Resources in an ecosystem must be sufficient to meet their needs. However, the resources may reduce too much to satisfy all the organisms in one situation. In another situation, the number of any particular organism increases greatly. In both situations, organisms compete with each other to meet their needs.

In the food chain (fig. 2.6), a squirrel is prey for two predators, i.e. fox and eagle. If the population of squirrels reduces due to any reason, fox and eagle would be in competition for their food, i.e. squirrel.

Fig. 2.6: Food chain

An animal with more adaptations such as fast movement, sharp smell and sight will find the prey. These two predators will also compete if the population of any of them increases. This is the competition between two different species and called inter-specific competition.

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Members of the same species at one place also compete with each other due to limited resources of food, space, etc. It is called intra-specific competition.

Plants, just like animals, compete with each other for water, nutrients, sunlight and space (roots, branches and leaves). For example, in a forest, some plants grow taller than others and thus shade the other plants reducing the amount of sunlight.

Competition is a relationship that affects both of its participants. As a result, organisms develop themselves better by developing adaptations otherwise, they migrate or die out.