What is interspecific competition?

Interspecific competition refers specifically to the competition that occurs between individuals of different species. This type of competition arises when species vie for the same resources, such as food, water, light, or space, which can ultimately affect their growth, survival, and reproduction. When different species occupy the same ecological niche or have overlapping resource requirements, they must compete, which can lead to various outcomes, including competitive exclusion, resource partitioning, or adaptive changes over time.

Understanding interspecific competition is crucial in ecology because it helps explain species diversity in ecosystems and the dynamics of community interactions. It demonstrates how different species can influence one another and how these interactions shape the structure of communities and ecosystems over time.