Organisms compete when sufficient resources are not available. This statement is true about competition among organisms. When resources such as food, water, shelter, or space are limited, organisms within the same species or different species compete to obtain these resources to survive and reproduce. Competition can be intense and can lead to adaptations that give certain organisms a competitive edge over others.
Plants are indeed capable of competing for resources. They compete for sunlight, nutrients, water, and space in their environment. For example, plants in a forest may compete for sunlight by growing taller to reach above the canopy and receive more light.
Organisms of the same species can also compete, not just organisms of different species. This type of competition, known as intraspecific competition, occurs when individuals of the same species vie for the same resources. For instance, within a population of lions, individuals may compete for access to prey or territory.
Organisms can compete for various resources beyond just food and water. Resources can include mates for reproduction, territory for nesting or breeding, access to sunlight for photosynthesis, and more. The competition for resources is a fundamental aspect of ecology and plays a crucial role in shaping the interactions and relationships among organisms in ecosystems.
