Can two different species occupy exactly the same niche? What happens?

Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "environmental niche competition" to get this source:

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Consider an extreme case: Can 2 populations occupying the same resource niche coexist in the same environment?

If 2 populations occupy same resource niche, then by definition they utilize all the same resources, and in the same manner

Common sense tells us there are 3 possible outcomes to this situation:

1) share resources more or less equally (neither population changes niche)

2) one or both populations alters niche to reduce overlap (niche partitioning)

3) one population loses out completely (competitive exclusion)

In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.

I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.

gang

Two different species cannot occupy the exact same niche indefinitely because of a principle called the Competitive Exclusion Principle. This principle states that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist in the long term.

When two species occupy the same niche, they are essentially competing for the same resources such as food, shelter, or mates. Since resources are often limited in nature, one species will eventually outcompete the other for those resources. The better-adapted species will have a competitive advantage, allowing them to survive and reproduce more successfully, while the other species will struggle to thrive.

Over time, this competition can lead to one of three outcomes: competitive exclusion, resource partitioning, or character displacement. Competitive exclusion occurs when one species completely outcompetes and eliminates the other from the niche. Resource partitioning happens when the species evolve to divide the available resources, reducing direct competition. Character displacement occurs when the species develop distinct physical or behavioral traits to reduce competition and better exploit different resources within the niche.

It's important to note that while two species may temporarily occupy the same niche, there will be constant pressures for them to differentiate or compete until one of the outcomes is reached.