Week7 Draft2

In the past, ecologists thought there was a negative correlation between species abundance and niche width of a species. However, current ecologists agree that there is a positive correlation between the abundance and niche width of a species due to the increase in a diversity of resrouces consumed, thus an increase in tolerance of various environmental conditions. However, invasive species are therefore successful when they have a wider niche than that of native species, therefore, doing better with competition. A superior competitor can use the same resources of a native species and cause competitive exclusion of the native species. Co-existance of species that rely on the same resources is explained by the abundance of resources for both species and resource partitioning.