Which of the following statements is consistent with the principle of competitive exclusion?
A) The random distribution of one competing species will have a positive impact on the population growth of the other competing species.
B) If two species have the same fundamental niche, neither one will exclude the other competing species.
C) Even a slight reproductive advantage will eventually lead to the elimination of the less well adapted of two competing species.
D) Natural selection tends to increase competition between related species.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of competitive exclusion states that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist at constant population values if other ecological factors remain constant. One species will always outcompete the other, leading to the exclusion or extinction of the less well-adapted species. This is reflected in choice C, where even a slight reproductive advantage can lead to one species dominating over the other in the long term.

Which of the Following Statements Is Consistent with the Principle