AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The competitive exclusion principle says that two species can’t coexist if they occupy exactly the same niche (competing for identical resources). Two species whose niches overlap may evolve by natural selection to have more distinct niches, resulting in resource partitioning.

Detailed explanation-2: -There are two kinds of resource partitioning; it can either be a form of habitat partitioning or food partitioning.

Detailed explanation-3: -Although “resource” generally refers to food, species can partition other non-consumable objects, such as parts of the habitat. For example, warblers are thought to coexist because they nest in different parts of trees. Species can also partition habitat in a way that gives them access to different types of resources.

Detailed explanation-4: -Resource partitioning or niche differentiation (a process of natural selection that will force competitors to use resources differently) is a way to avoid competition between species and allow for coexistence.