| Competition for light, nutrients and space is most severe between |
| a) | Closely related plants growing in different area | b) | Closely related plants growing in same area |
| c) | Distantly related plants growing in same habitat | d) | Distantly related plants growing in same habitat |
| (b)Competition for light, nutrients and space is more severe when closely related or intraspecific plants grow in same area.Gauses hypothesis (Principle of Competitive Exclusion) Gause (1934) found that out of two species of Paramecium grown together one is eliminated. This phenomenon is called Gauses hypothesis or principle of competitive exclusion. This principle operates when the resources are limited and two species competetes for same resources |