How does the amount of resources available affect competition among organisms?

The correct answer highlights that limited resources increase competition among organisms. When resources such as food, water, shelter, or sunlight are scarce, organisms must compete more intensely for what they need to survive and reproduce. This heightened competition can lead to various ecological interactions, like direct confrontations between species or indirect competition through the depletion of resources.

In environments where resources are plentiful, competition tends to decrease because most organisms can access enough resources to thrive. However, when resources are limited, individuals may resort to aggressive tactics or strategies to outcompete others, which can lead to a higher mortality rate among weaker individuals or species. Understanding this dynamic is crucial in studying ecological relationships and species interactions, as it illustrates the balance that ecosystems maintain based on resource availability.