Resource partitioning is an ecological process where similar species coexist by dividing or specializing in the use of limited resources to avoid direct competition. This division can occur through differences in habitat use, timing of activities, or types of resources consumed, allowing species to occupy distinct niches within the same environment

. Key aspects of resource partitioning include:

• It reduces competition between species by enabling them to exploit different parts or aspects of a resource or environment.
• It can involve evolutionary adaptations, such as feeding at different times, using different food types, or inhabiting different microhabitats.
• It promotes biodiversity and coexistence by preventing competitive exclusion, where one species would otherwise drive another to extinction.
• It helps scientists understand ecosystem dynamics and predict the impact of species loss on resource use and ecological functions

Example: The anole lizards in Puerto Rico demonstrate resource partitioning by living in different parts of the habitat (e.g., varying vegetation types and heights) and using different resources, which reduces competition among species and allows coexistence

. Analogy: Resource partitioning is like roommates sharing a small apartment by dividing chores and space—one uses the kitchen in the morning while the other cooks in the evening, so they avoid conflict over the limited resource (kitchen time). In summary, resource partitioning is a natural mechanism that enables multiple species to share limited resources by specializing in different ways, fostering biodiversity and ecosystem stability