What factor contributes to high biodiversity containing narrow ecological niches?

Prepare for the AICE Marine Science Exam with our quiz! Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with helpful hints and explanations. Get ready to ace your exam!

High biodiversity containing narrow ecological niches is most effectively supported by interspecific competition. Interspecific competition occurs when different species vie for the same limited resources, such as food, space, or light. This competition often drives species to evolve specialized adaptations or behaviors that allow them to exploit specific resources more effectively than others. As a result, each species may occupy a unique niche within the ecosystem, leading to a greater diversity of species coexisting in the same environment.

In environments where interspecific competition is prevalent, species can become highly specialized to their narrow ecological niches. Such specialization prevents species from overlapping too much in their resource use, which further promotes diversity, as many species can coexist without directly competing for identical resources.

While other factors such as intraspecific competition, symbiotic relationships, and predation play roles in shaping communities and biodiversity, interspecific competition is particularly influential in promoting the coexistence of multiple species by encouraging niche differentiation.

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