NEETZoologyOrganisms and Populations
Which of the following statements correctly represents the boundary condition for Gause's 'Competitive Exclusion Principle' as described in NCERT?
Options
- AThe principle states that two closely related species competing for the same resources cannot co-exist indefin
- BThe principle is universally applicable and ensures that the competitively inferior species is eliminated rega
- CThe principle applies exclusively when resources are abundant, allowing species to co-exist by changing their
- DThe principle is valid only when the feeding efficiency of one species is actively reduced by the interfering
Correct answer
A. The principle states that two closely related species competing for the same resources cannot co-exist indefin
Step-by-step solution
According to NCERT, Gause's 'Competitive Exclusion Principle' states that two closely related species competing for the same resources cannot co-exist indefinitely and the competitively inferior one will be eliminated eventually. A critical boundary condition explicitly mentioned for this principle is that it may be true if resources are limiting, but not otherwise. When resources are abundant, species may evolve mechanisms like resource partitioning to co-exist. Interference competition (where feeding efficiency i