# Explain how resource partitioning among species within the same guild reduces interspecific competition and promotes coexistence.

> IB DP Biology Higher Level (2023 syllabus) — C4.1 Populations and communities · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Species in the same guild exploit the same broad category of resources, creating potential for interspecific competition.
2. Resource partitioning occurs when species divide / differentiate use of available resources, for example by exploiting different microhabitats, feeding at different times, or taking different prey sizes.
3. Partitioning reduces niche overlap, which lowers the intensity of interspecific competition between the co-occurring species.
4. Because no single species is competitively excluded, multiple species can stably coexist, maintaining species diversity within the community.

## Key terms

- [guild](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/guild)
- [resource partitioning](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/resource-partitioning)
- [interspecific competition](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/interspecific-competition)
- [coexistence](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/coexistence)

## Related

- [Revision notes for IB DP Biology Higher Level (2023 syllabus)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-resource-partitioning-among-species-e2caec0c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.