Which process involves the avoidance or reduction of competition for similar resources by species occupying different ecological niches?

Resource partitioning is the process that allows different species to coexist in the same habitat by minimizing competition for similar resources. This is achieved when species adapt to utilize different resources or the same resources in different ways, such as by changing feeding habits, activity times, or habitats.

For instance, if two bird species that feed on insects occupy the same area, they might tend to feed at different heights in the trees or at different times of the day. This adaptation allows them to reduce direct competition for the same food supply, thereby enhancing their chances of survival.

In contrast, primary succession refers to the gradual process of ecosystem development starting from bare rock or a lifeless surface, while secondary succession occurs in an area where a disturbance has destroyed an existing ecosystem but left the soil intact. Interference competition involves species directly hindering others' access to resources, rather than adapting to share resources. Thus, resource partitioning specifically addresses how species thrive by evolving distinct ecological roles in the habitat.