Question

What are three possible long-term consequences of two species occupying the same niche?

Answer 1

Answer:

• one will become extinct
• one/both will adapt
• one will migrate to a new location

Explanation:

An ecological niche is the role species has in its environment. This includes how it survives, reproduces, finds shelter, and obtains good. It includes all its interactions with both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.

When species occupy the same niche, it means they are competing for the same resources. This is not sustainable. Eventually, one of three things are likely to happen:

• one species will die out (become extinct) because they are being outcompeted by the more successful species, and will struggle to survive without adequate food and shelter
• either one or both species will have to adapt to occupy another similar niche by, for example, exploiting a new food source in the area.
• either one or both species will have to migrate to a new area to occupy a different geographical area and new resources.

The species that is being excluded from the niche can either adapt in the long term to occupy another similar niche, migrate to a new area, or it can die out.