Niche Partitioning and Species Coexistence
Topic
Resource Type
Duration
00:08:14Description
This video describes the cutting-edge method of DNA metabarcoding and how it is used to study how animals partition resources in a shared habitat.
One of the big questions in ecology is how several species can coexist in the same habitat. Robert Pringle and his team are using new technologies to better understand the ways in which three different species of African antelope partition niches within their habitat. The research team places collars on the animals to track their movements via GPS technology, allowing them to see that each species specializes in a slightly different part of the savanna habitat. The team also collects dung from the animals and uses a technique called metabarcoding to determine the plant species that each animal eats, based on the plant DNA profiles. The spatial data and the diet profiles are giving scientists a better understanding of how animals coexist by avoiding direct competition for resources.
The accompanying “Student Worksheet” incorporates concepts and information from the video.
An audio descriptive version of the film is available via our media player.
The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.
Student Learning Targets
- Examine research practices.
- Develop scientific explanations and justify claims using evidence.
- Explain how species avoid competition by partitioning ecological niches.
Estimated Time
Key Terms
conservation biologist, ecological community, ecological theory, endangered species, metabarcoding, savanna
Terms of Use
Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.
Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)
Version History
NGSS (2013)
HS-LS2.A, HS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-6; SEP4, SEP5
AP Biology (2019)
ENE-4.B, SYI-1.H; SP2, SP6
IB Biology (2016)
C.1
AP Environmental Science (2020)
Topic(s): 1.11, 1.11, 9.9
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-1.A, ENG-1.D, EIN-4.B, SP1, SP2, SP5
IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)
2.1
Common Core (2010)
ELA.RST.9-12.7, WHST.9-12.1
Math.S-ID.1; MP2, MP3, MP5
Vision and Change (2009)
CC5; DP2