Final answer:
Competition for abiotic resources like water, sunlight, and space among different species results in the better-adapted species surviving, while the less adapted may adapt, move, or face extinction as per the competitive exclusion principle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Competition between species for abiotic resources is a significant aspect of ecological interaction that can strongly influence survival and biodiversity. Here are three examples that illustrate interspecific competition for abiotic resources:
In a forest, tree species might compete for sunlight, another vital abiotic resource. Trees with leaves that have a higher photosynthetic efficiency or that can grow taller to reach the light are more likely to thrive, outcompeting those that cannot reach the light effectively.
Along a rocky shore, different types of algae and barnacles may compete for space, which is essential for their survival. The species that can better attach to the rocks and resist waves will monopolize space and outcompete others.
The competitive exclusion principle explains that in a stable environment, species less adapted will adapt, move, or die out, leading to consequences such as reduced population growth or extinction for the less adapted species. Conversely, character displacement allows coexistence through the development of different specializations.