Summary
Coexisting species divide resources by space, time or diet to reduce competition.
In depth
MacArthur's warblers fed in different parts of spruce trees. Anolis lizards divide perch height and diameter. Temporal partitioning includes day and night activity.
This explains the coexistence of similar species.
Partitioning can be along resource, space and time axes. It reduces competition and promotes coexistence, increasing diversity.
Example: five warbler species feed in different tree zones.
Resource partitioning lets similar species coexist, as with three species of Darwin's finches that eat seeds of different sizes, and cormorants nesting at different heights on cliffs. MacArthur's 1958 study of five warbler species found that they foraged in different zones of the same spruce trees.
Modern approaches use DNA metabarcoding of diets and stable isotopes to measure overlap. Character displacement can follow, as in beak or body size differences. However, some coexistence can result from neutral processes (Hubbell's theory), where species are similar and drift plays a role, so partitioning is not the only explanation.
Example: African grazers partition grassland: zebras eat tall stems, wildebeest eat leaves, and Thomson's gazelles eat low herbs.
Frequently asked questions
What is Niche Partitioning?
Coexisting species divide resources by space, time or diet to reduce competition.
Which area of biology covers Niche Partitioning, and how advanced is it?
Niche Partitioning is one of the 54 topics in Ecology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Competitive Exclusion, Competition, Habitat and Niche.
Can you give an example of Niche Partitioning?
African grazers eat different parts or heights of grass.
What should I learn before Niche Partitioning?
Work through the Beginner topics in Ecology first, such as Ecology, Ecosystem, Biotic and Abiotic Factors, then return to Niche Partitioning. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Niche Partitioning?
The closest topics to Niche Partitioning are Competitive Exclusion, Competition, Habitat and Niche, Ecological Succession. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Niche Partitioning?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Niche Partitioning. To practise the whole of Ecology, use the Ecology quiz.
How is Niche Partitioning different from Competitive Exclusion?
Niche Partitioning: Coexisting species divide resources by space, time or diet to reduce competition. Competitive Exclusion: Two species competing for exactly the same niche cannot coexist indefinitely. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Niche Partitioning step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Competitive Exclusion and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Ecology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.