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Organisms within an ecosystem do not exist in isolation. They interact with one another in ways that determine their survival and reproduction. This lesson explores the two key ecological relationships you need to understand for AQA GCSE Biology: competition (both interspecific and intraspecific) and interdependence between species.
Competition occurs when two or more organisms require the same resource that is in limited supply. Resources are anything organisms need to survive and reproduce. Competition is one of the most important factors controlling population size.
There are two types of competition:
| Type | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Intraspecific competition | Competition between organisms of the same species | Two robin males fighting over territory in the same garden |
| Interspecific competition | Competition between organisms of different species | Grey squirrels outcompeting red squirrels for food in UK woodlands |
Intraspecific competition is often more intense because organisms of the same species have identical resource requirements.
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