Ausems, A.N.M.A (2011) How to prove interspecific competition. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.
![[img]](https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text
EE_BC_2011_A.N.M.A.Ausems.pdf - Other Restricted to Registered users only Download (482kB) |
Abstract
Competition among coexisting species is supposed to have an important effect on the distribution patterns and ecology of species. According to the competitive exclusion principle no two competitors can coexist. However, several communities show coexisting competitors. In the study area in the Lauwersmeer great tits (Parus major) coexist with the blue tit (Parus caeruleus). Both species occupy the same nest boxes. In our study for preference of the great and blue tit for different nest box types we could not distinguish between preference and competition as the cause for the choice of the blue tits. In this study several methods to show competition are described and evaluated for use in the study in the Lauwersmeer. These methods were the description of the fluctuation in numbers of the competing species, the addition of the limiting resource, competitor removal or exclusion, manipulation of the resource and direct observations of dominance. Competitor exclusion in combination with the same manipulation of the nest boxes appears to be the best way to show the difference between preference and competition.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Biology |
| Thesis type: | Bachelor's Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Feb 2018 07:45 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Feb 2018 07:45 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/9632 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |