Intraspecific competition refers to:

Intraspecific competition specifically refers to the competition that occurs among individuals of the same species. This type of competition typically arises when resources such as food, space, and mates are limited, leading to a struggle among individuals to survive and reproduce.

Within a given environment, when resources are scarce, individuals of the same species must compete with one another, which can influence population dynamics, growth rates, and the overall health of the species. Intraspecific competition can drive natural selection, as individuals that are better adapted to acquiring resources may have a higher survival rate and reproductive success, thus influencing the genetic makeup of future generations.

Contextually, competition between different species is referred to as interspecific competition, which is a separate concept. Competition for sunlight specifically relates to plants and their need for access to light, but does not encompass the broader definition of intraspecific competition. Lastly, competition with abiotic factors refers to the influence of non-living elements, such as temperature, soil, and water availability, on living organisms, but is not classified as competition among individuals of the same species. Therefore, understanding intraspecific competition is crucial for grasping ecological interactions and population dynamics within a species.