What does the theory of competitive exclusion state about species that utilize the same resources?

The theory of competitive exclusion, formulated by the ecologist Georgy Gause, asserts that two species competing for the same limited resources cannot coexist indefinitely. When two species are vying for identical resources – like food, water, or habitat – one species will generally have a competitive advantage over the other. This advantage may arise from factors such as reproductive rates, predation, or variations in niche utilization, allowing the more efficient species to outcompete its counterpart.

As a result of this competitive advantage, the superior species is likely to thrive while the inferior species is either driven to extinction or forced to adapt to occupy a different niche where resource competition is minimal. Thus, the theory illustrates the idea that in a shared environment, one species will dominate and establish itself, highlighting the intense nature of interspecific competition. This principle is significant in understanding ecological balance and species interactions in various habitats.