Solveeit Logo

Question

Question: Intraspecific competition is strongest when the Reproductive rate is at its maximum Population...

Intraspecific competition is strongest when the
Reproductive rate is at its maximum
Populations overlap in their ranges
Species overlap in their distribution
Population is at its carrying capacity

Explanation

Solution

Competition in the broadest sense refers to the interaction of two organisms striving for the same resource Competition amongst the individuals of same species for one or more common resources is intraspecific competition, and between the organisms of different species is interspecific competition.

Complete answer:
Intraspecific competition is more acute because all organisms of the same species have similar requirements for food, space, light, water, shelter, mate etc. When Darwin spoke of the struggle for existence and "survival of the fittest in nature", he was convinced that interspecific competition is a potent force in organic evolution.
Competition can take two forms.
a). Competitive exclusion
b). Competitive coexistence
Now let us gather information about given options:
A. Reproductive rate is at its maximum: when organisms reproduce at maximum extent they compete with the species of others and not with their own species and this competition is termed as interspecific competition.
B. Populations overlap in their ranges: when population overlap in their own ranges it includes different species and undergone competition they do not co-exists: But competition mostly occurs between different species
C. Species overlap in their distribution: Competitive exclusion(By Gause) states that two closely related species competing for the same resources cannot coexist indefinitely and the competitively inferior one will be eventually eliminated. but competition is not so high
D. Population is at its carrying capacity: Maximum number of individuals of a population which can be supported with optimum resources for their survival is called carrying capacity. when resources are limited, competition is maximum. Thus, this option is correct.

Out required option is d that is Population is at its carrying capacity

Note: Competition is best defined as a process in which fitness of one species (measured in terms of its intrinsic rate of increase) is significantly lower in the presence of another species. In general, herbivores and plants appear to be more adversely affected by competition than carnivores.
Competition can occur/leads to
1. Between closely and unrelated species
2 Exclusion and coexistence
3. When resource is limited or unlimited