Living Environment Regents Practice Test

An example of competition between members of different species is?

1. Cattail plants growing in dry areas

2. Fish competing for food in a lake

3. Purple loosestrife plants growing in the same wet areas as cattail plants

4. Birds nesting in different trees

The correct answer is: Purple loosestrife plants growing in the same wet areas as cattail plants

Competition between members of different species occurs when two or more species vie for the same resources in an environment. In this scenario, purple loosestrife and cattail plants both inhabit similar wetland areas and can compete for resources such as space, nutrients, and light. Since they are different species occupying the same ecological niche in terms of habitat, they exemplify interspecies competition. The other options describe different types of ecological interactions. Cattail plants growing in dry areas refers to a situation where a single species is adapting to its environment and does not highlight competition with another species. Fish competing for food in a lake, while demonstrating competition, involves members of the same species if those fish belong to different populations or subspecies. Birds nesting in different trees demonstrates resource use without competition, as they are not vying for the same nesting sites. Thus, the interaction between purple loosestrife and cattail plants in a shared wetland area distinctly illustrates competition between different species.