The division of environmental resources by coexisting species populations such that the niche of each species differs by one or more significant factors from the niches of all coexisting species populations. respiration respirare, to breathe] (1) In aerobic organisms, the intake of oxygen and the liberation of carbon dioxide. (2) In cells, the oxygen-requiring stage in the breakdown and release of energy from fuel molecules.
The division of resources such that a few dominant species exploit most of the available resources while other species divide the remainder; helps explain why a few species are abundant in a community while others are represented by only a few individuals.
Process of dividing up resources in an ecosystem so species with similar needs (overlapping ecological niches) use the same scarce resources at different times, in different ways, or in different places. See ecological niche, fundamental niche, realized niche.
In a biological community, various populations sharing environmental resources through specialization, thereby reducing direct competition. See also ecological niche.
Resource Partitioning is a subdivision of resources (such as space, food, nesting sites, etc.) that minimizes competition between similar species. Species with similar resource needs can evolve and change their behaviour to use a separate set of resources. For example, seven Anolis lizards in tropical rainforest share common food needs - mainly insects.