Intraspecific competition is when members of the same species compete against each other for resources they all need to survive, like food, water, space, or mates. This type of competition happens because the individuals are all part of the same species, so they need the same things to live and grow. For example, if there are too many plants in a small area, they might compete for sunlight and nutrients in the soil. Intraspecific competition can affect how many individuals can live in one area and can also influence the characteristics of a species over time, as those better suited to compete may survive and reproduce more successfully.
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