Forest ecosystem

Competition

Forest ecosystem interactions consist of not only symbiotic relationships, but also competition. Competition can either be in forms of intraspecific or interspecific competition. Intraspecific competition can occur between members of the same species for resources, whereas interspecific competition occurs between different species in a population. For example, in order to fulfil nutritional needs decomposing organic matter in soils is a sought after resource by plants, microbes and fungi. Invasive species in forest ecosystems also play a role in interspecific competition. They often compete with native species for resources and may conquer these resources successfully due to low intraspecific competition. The hemlock woolly adelgid and the emerald ash borer are examples of well known invasive species that colonize an area and create disturbances in forest ecology by killing host trees and reducing forest vegetation.