What occurs when the population of an organism increases, narrowing the niche it occupies?

The increase in the population of an organism that results in a narrowing of the niche it occupies leads to competition. As the population grows, individuals compete for limited resources such as food, space, and mates. This competitive interaction arises because a larger population may lead to more individuals trying to utilize the same resources, which can result in increased pressure on those resources.

When a niche becomes narrower due to higher population density, the competition among individuals intensifies. This can lead to several possible outcomes, including the decline of certain individuals or species that cannot compete effectively, or the adaptation of individuals to exploit different resources or develop different behaviors to minimize competition. It’s a fundamental aspect of population dynamics, illustrating how species interact with each other and their environment in an ecosystem.