Interspecific and Intraspecific Plant Competitions - Lab Report Example

Interspecific and Intraspecific Plant Competitions It is of crucial significance to acknowledge the fact that competition occurs among all living things. Living things must compete for virtually everything in order for them to survive. Therefore, competition is one of the tools that nature employs in eliminating the weaker species from those that are stronger. In this regard, it is important to note that in competition, it is always the stronger competitors that always survive. However, the weaker competitors are always thrown out of the competition and are eliminated. It is of critical significance to understand the meaning and definition of competition. This report aimed at determining the effects of both interspecific and intraspecific forms of competition on total yield, survival and individual growth of two plants. Several materials including plant pots, planting trays, potting soil as well as seeds from radish and wheat were used. Seeds were planted in six configurations and were subjected to light and temperature controlled chambers. The temperature was maintained at 200C and a photoperiod maintained at 14 hours light. Analysis was done using Excel and results plotted in tables and graphs. From the results, the density of radish was higher than that of wheat. This shows that radish was a better competitor than wheat. INTRODUCTION Competition in ecology refers to the pursuit of available resources between or amongst living organisms. On the other perspective, competition can be viewed as an interaction between or amongst individuals that emanates from shared but limiting requirements for resources with limiting supply thereby resulting into a reduction in survival, growth as well as reproduction rates of the individuals in question. Competition is a continuous process that occurs amongst and between all living organisms. It is of crucial significance to note that several forms of competition exist amongst living organisms. These include interspecific competition as well as intraspecific competition. Competition entails several forms of interactions. Some of these interactions include depletion of resources, use of space as well as production of toxins. Other forms of interactions include overgrowths whereby some species grow over others thus depriving them of requirements for growth including light needed for photosynthesis (Tow and Alec, 35). In that case, such plants are suppressed and in the long term, become eliminated by the superior plants that mounted on them. Other forms of interactions include territorial interactions. This form of interaction is associated with increased incidences of fighting in defense of space as is evident amongst the wildlife (Deitloff, 59). The last form of interactions includes the encounters. This is associated with transient interactions that take place directly over some resources. This paper is going to discuss the both interspecific and intraspecific forms of competition in light of the interactions highlighted above. It is important to note that all forms of competition are strongest when the populations of competing species are very large. This means that more resources will be needed in order to satisfy the needs of all the population within that ecosystem or habitat (Tokeshi, 73). In this regard, the rate of exploitation of the resources will increase considerably. The increased rates of exploitation of such resources will e equated to increased reduction in availability of such resources. This leads to severe competition for the limiting resources, thereby making the competition rates to be stronger when the population is large. This is always evident in cases involving interspecific competition between organisms. In plant communities, interspecific competition is always dependent on nutrient availability (Tokeshi, 47). MATERIALS AND METHODS This report aimed at determining the effects of both interspecific and intraspecific forms of competition on total yield, survival and individual growth of two plants. In addition, the experiment aimed at quantifying the significance of density-dependent factors in the results from the experiment. The materials used included plant pots, planting trays, potting soil as well as seeds from radish and wheat. Seeds were planted in six configurations. The seeds were placed as evenly as possible. The plants were grown in light and temperature controlled chambers. The temperature was maintained at 200C and a photoperiod maintained at 14 hours light. RESULTS The data was analyzed and the relative yields of different species was determined. Data analysis was done using excel and the results were plotted in tables and graphs as shown below. Pot Species Number of Seeds Number of Individuals Shoot Mass (g)* A1 Radish 32 29 6.8 B1 Wheat 32 31 6.2 AB1 Radish 16 17 4.1 AB1 Wheat 16 15 2.5 A2 Radish 96 93 20.1 B2 Wheat 96 98 16.8 AB2 Radish 48 48 9.8 AB2 Wheat 48 47 7.5 Table 1: Table showing the wheat and radish shoot mass after growing for two weeks Both relative yields of wheat as well as relative yields of radish were also determined. The table below shows the results from the above. Density=32 Density=96 Relative Yield of Radish 1.205882353 0.975124378 Relative Yield of Wheat 0.806451613 0.892857143 Change in Contribution index of Radish 0.187611408 0.541598367 Change in Contribution index of Wheat -0.20576735 -0.04779108 Intensity of Composition of Radish 0.035397806 Intensity of Composition of wheat 0.06694679 Table 2: Table showing relative yield and change in contribution of radish and wheat From this table, the densities of wheat and radish were determined at both high and low levels. The table below depicts the results from above. Low Density High Density Radish 6.8 20.1 Wheat 6.2 16.8 Radish +Wheat 4.1 9.8 Wheat + Radish 2.5 7.5 Table 3: Table showing the different densities of Radish and Wheat from the experiment The results depicted above were used to plot a graph. This was important in showing the relationship that exists between the two plants in a pictorial manner. The graph was plotted to compare both the low and high densities for both radish and wheat. This is shown in the graph below. Image 1: Graph showing the relationship in different densities between radish and wheat DISCUSSION In cases involving high levels of nutrient availability, the competition always shifts to scramble for light for photosynthesis. This is depicted in the nature in which radish and wheat responded to different conditions of light, nutrients and temperature. Light is always a unidirectional resource. The density of radish was higher than that of wheat under different conditions that they were subjected towards. This resulted from the influence of light and temperature in the growth rates of such plants relevant to the interspecific competition. The results show that radish is a better competitor compared to wheat. This is may also be manifested in other plant interactions. For instance, different habitats have different types of plants with different capabilities and rates of growth, reproduction and competition. Interspecific competition has a negative influence on the sizes of populations of the competitors. This is depicted in the results from the experiment above. The shoot mass in Radish had a higher rate of growth compared to those of wheat. This means that radish is a better competitor compared to wheat. Therefore, in the long term period, the effects of interspecific competition between radish and wheat may see wheat being eliminated by radish. When the competition is very severe, the population sizes of the competing species are considerably reduced. This is due to the impacts that the competition presents on the quantity of the resources fought for or against (Tokeshi, 32). This means that some of the species from both populations will have to be eliminated. This therefore leads to a reduction in the population sizes of the competing species. High nutrient habitats that heavily receive light are always dominated by fast growing perennial plants. These plants always have tall stature as well as uniform leaf distribution to aide in trapping more light for photosynthesis. Thus, it is important to note that interspecific competition contributes a lot towards determining the structure of, as well as dynamics of plant communities (Tokeshi, 63). In ecology, interspecific competition refers to a form of competition whereby individual organisms of different species scramble for the same resources within their habitats or in an ecosystem (Crawley, 52). Such may include the competition for space, food as well as other limiting resources. Interspecific competition is very important in ensuring that weaker species are weeded out of the population. This determines the survival rates, growth rates as well as the reproduction rates of the organisms concerned. As such, it is important to note that interspecific competition may be beneficial to organisms in the long term relevant to reproduction (Crawley, 57). This follows that the stronger and best fit individuals will eliminate the weaker and less fit individuals. Thus, the genes of the stronger and better fit individuals will be expressed into the future generations. Interspecific competition always takes place over a wide range of resources (Crawley, 71). This form of competition always takes place over nearly all the requirements. These may include food, water, nutrients as well as space. Thus, the better adapted species will ultimately survive. It is of crucial significance to note that interspecific competition is characterized by individuals having virtually similar types of adaptations. In this perspective, it is critical to note that interspecific competition is always more severe compared to intraspecific competition. This follows that in intraspecific competition, the individuals compete for a few requirements but have different types of adaptations (Crawley, 63). However, in interspecific competition, individuals have similar types of adaptations and compete over similar resources. This makes the competition very severe in interspecific competition. Examples of interspecific competition include finding mating partners, territorial as well as competition for dominance especially in cases where organisms live in groups (Tow and Alec, 49). On the other hand, intraspecific competition involves a situation whereby individual organisms from the same species scramble for same limiting resources within their habitats or ecosystems (Keddy, 37). His may include interactions leading to competition over food, nutrients, water, space as well as other limiting factors. It is very important for species to compete in this manner in order to ensure the survival of the better fit. The elimination of the weaker species means that such species may not be able to reproduce (Keddy, 46). In this manner, the nature will have succeeded in depriving the weaker genes a chance to express themselves in future. On the same note, it is very important to note that the stronger genes are always allowed to continue in the future generations. This follows that the stronger species will outdo the weaker ones, thereby throwing the weaker species into extinction (Keddy, 57). This makes it possible for the stronger species to survive thereby impacting on the transfer of their genes to subsequent generations. It is of crucial significance to note that the intraspecific competition only benefits the species in the long term (Keddy, 68). This follows that the form of elimination is dependent on the expression of genes for future generations whereby the best fit will survive the competition. This always makes the weaker species to evolve other adaptation techniques in order to help them survive the fierce competition that is existent within their ecosystems. It is of crucial significance to note that intraspecific competition is always characterized by competition for one or a few limiting requirements. For instance, in intraspecific competition, organisms may compete for light necessary for photosynthesis (Keddy, 54). In this case, some of the organisms like plants may climb or mount on others in order to access the light. In this manner, the plant mounted upon will be suppressed and may not benefit from the light needed for photosynthesis. In this case, it is evident that photosynthesis in such a plant may most likely not take place and the plant may die due to lack of food (Dhondt, 51). However, it is significant to note that in intraspecific competition, the competing individuals always possess different types or forms of adaptation techniques. This enables them survive the severe forms of competition. Works Cited Top of Form Crawley, Michael J. Plant Ecology. Malden, MA: Blackwell Science, 1997. Internet resource. Deitloff, Jennifer. Ecological Processes Responsible for Species Co-Occurrence Patterns in Two Species of Plethodon Salamanders. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University, 2008. Internet resource. Dhondt, André A. Interspecific Competition in Birds. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print. Keddy, Paul A. Plants and Vegetation: Origins, Processes, Consequences. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Print. Tokeshi, M. Species Coexistence: Ecological and Evolutionary Perspectives. Oxford: Blackwell Science, 1999. Internet resource. Tow, P G, and Alec Lazenby. Competition and Succession in Pastures. Wallingford, Oxon, UK: CABI Pub, 2001. Internet resource.Bottom of Form Read More