Final answer:
The competitive exclusion principle explains why two species cannot coexist in the same niche for an extended period of time in an ecosystem.
Explanation:
Two different species cannot occupy the same niche in the same place for very long due to the competitive exclusion principle. This principle states that when two species share the same niche, they will compete for resources, leading to one species eventually outcompeting and replacing the other. Alternatively, one species may evolve different adaptations to occupy a slightly different niche.
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