Explain why two species of oak tree growing in the same woodland are more likely to compete with each other than an oak tree and a bramble growing in the same woodland.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Two species of oak tree and a bramble plant grow in the same woodland. Oak trees are tall and have wide canopies. Brambles are low-growing shrubs found on the woodland floor.
Model answer (4 marks)
Two oak species grow in the same part of the woodland, so they occupy the same niche and require the same resources such as light, water and mineral ions.
Because they are in the same habitat, their resource needs overlap strongly.
An oak tree and a bramble are in different parts of the woodland – the oak in the canopy and the bramble on the forest floor – so they use the resources in different ways.
Thus the two oaks are more likely to compete with each other than the oak and the bramble.
Because they are in the same habitat, their resource needs overlap strongly.
An oak tree and a bramble are in different parts of the woodland – the oak in the canopy and the bramble on the forest floor – so they use the resources in different ways.
Thus the two oaks are more likely to compete with each other than the oak and the bramble.
Examiner tips
- Use the word "compete" and mention "same niche". Show that both oaks need the same light, water, minerals. Explain the oak–bramble difference in habitat. Finish with "greater competition".
Common mistakes
- Saying the oak and bramble compete for the same resources. Forgetting to mention the different habitats of oak and bramble. Using vague terms like "more" without explaining why.
Mark scheme (4 marks)
- Competition occurs when organisms require the same resources
- The two oak species occupy the same part of the woodland (same niche / same habitat) so they compete for the same light / water / mineral ions / territory
- The oak and bramble occupy different parts of the woodland / require different amounts of the same resource (e.g. oak canopy vs. bramble on floor), so there is less / no overlap in resources needed
- Therefore competition between the two oak species is greater / more intense because their resource requirements are more similar / overlap more
Related
- Revision notes: Adaptations, interdependence and competition →
- How to answer a "Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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