Competitive Exclusion & Niche Overlap

Theory

Gause's competitive exclusion principle: two species competing for a single resource cannot stably coexist. Lotka-Volterra competition: dN₁/dt = r₁N₁(1−N₁/K₁−α₁₂N₂/K₁). Coexistence requires α₁₂α₂₁ < 1 (interspecific weaker than intraspecific). The condition α < 1 means niche overlap is low enough.

Parameters

Competition α₁₂ (sp2→sp1) 0.5 Competition α₂₁ (sp1→sp2) 0.5 Carrying capacity K₁ 100 Carrying capacity K₂ 100 Growth rate r₁ 0.30 Growth rate r₂ 0.30