Community Ecology

AP Biology· difficulty 3/5

Two warbler species feed on insects in spruce trees. Researchers measured the percent of foraging time at five vertical zones from canopy top to base.

Canopy zone (top->base) % foraging time A (open) B (filled)

The data best illustrate which ecological concept?

  • A

    Resource partitioning that reduces interspecific competition

    check_circle
  • B

    Mutualism between the two warblers

  • C

    Predator-prey cycling

  • D

    Founder effect in a small population

Explanation

Two species using different vertical zones of the same tree minimize direct competition for food, a classic example of resource partitioning (cf. MacArthur's warblers).

Want 10 more like this — adaptive to your weak spots?

Related questions