In competitive interactions, what is the effect of competition on the organisms involved?

In competitive interactions, the effect on the organisms involved typically leads to negative consequences for both parties. Competition arises when organisms vie for the same limited resources, such as food, space, or light. This struggle can lead to reduced access to these resources, causing stress and limiting the overall fitness or growth of both competitors.

When two species or individuals compete, they may experience lower reproductive rates, decreased survival, and stunted growth as a result of the resource depletion and energy expenditure associated with competition. This phenomenon is often illustrated by the competitive exclusion principle, which states that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist at constant population values; one will ultimately outcompete the other, leading to a decline or extinction of the less competitive species. Thus, competition tends to have detrimental effects on all competing organisms rather than benefiting them or leaving them unaffected.