Have you ever had to compete with a brother, sister, or friend over something you wanted or to win a game? If so, you've been in a competition before! Organisms in nature often do not have enough of the living essentials they need to survive. These essentials include major habitat components such as food, water, space, shelter, sunlight and other vital resources. Competition is when two or more living things try to use the same resource. As you've learned, resources are limited in the environment. If one individual or population uses the resource, there is less available for other organisms.

Competition is said to limit the population size. For example, if there are few nesting areas for birds available, some will not be able to raise their young unless they find another location. Food can also be limited in the area causing the birds to starve and therefore losing their opportunity to reproduce.

Competition can happen within populations. For example, when deer are competing over the same grassy area, they are competing with each other for the same food. This type of competition is the most popular in nature because organisms of the same species need the same kinds of food and shelter.

Competition can also occur between different populations. This is evident in the rainforest when various species of trees fight over the sunlight. The ones with the tallest reach and broadest leaves are able to absorb more sunlight than the shorter trees. Can you think of any more examples of competition you've observed in nature or in your own life?

Click on these comics below for more information on competition!

Now watch these bison compete...
National Geographic Video

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