What is a common effect of competition among wildlife species?

The choice highlighting that one species often increases while another decreases accurately reflects the dynamics of competition among wildlife species. In ecological terms, when two species compete for the same resources—such as food, shelter, or mating opportunities—it's common for one species to gain an advantage over the other. This competitive advantage can lead to a greater reproductive success for the favored species, allowing its population to grow.

As this favored species flourishes, the competing species may struggle to find the necessary resources, resulting in a decline in its population. This relationship is often described by the competitive exclusion principle, which suggests that two species competing for the same resource cannot coexist indefinitely; one will eventually outcompete the other. Therefore, recognizing how competition can lead to shifts in population dynamics is crucial for understanding ecological interactions and wildlife management.

The other choices present scenarios that do not align with the general principles of ecological competition. For instance, suggesting that all species involved in competition thrive implies a mutual benefit that is not typical, as competition usually results in resource limitation. Additionally, asserting that competition has no impact on population sizes contradicts the fundamental understanding that species interactions directly affect population dynamics. Lastly, the notion of species always coexisting without affecting each other’s numbers overlooks the competitive interactions that