Law of Limited Competition

A biological limiting system, also known as the Law of Life coined by author Daniel Quinn in his novel Ishmael.

According to Quinn, species following the Law of Limited Competition may compete to the best of their abilities, but:
- May not eradicate competitive species
- May not destroy their food sources
- May not prevent them access to food sources

Concepts of Limited Competition and Sustainability

Conceptually, and within the contexts of evolution and limited resources, the Law of Limited Competition works as follows:

Consider three hypothetical species. Species 1 is omnivorous, and eats food sources A, B, and C. Species 2, is herbaceous, and eats food sources B, C and D. Species 3 is a carnivorous apex predator, and eats food source A, as well as species 1 and 2. According to the Law of Limited Competition, any of these three species may compete to the full extent of their abilities, but may not eradicate its competitors, or deny them access to food. In short, they may compete, but not wage war. If the law is broken, sustainability of any of the species is put in jeopardy.

If, in an effort to eliminate competition from species 2, species 1 denies access to or destroys food source D, which it does not eat, species 2 will be forced to rely on food sources B and C, increasing competition for the common food sources for both species, and consequently, reducing two of the food sources for species 3, as well as increasing competition for food source A. Sustainability for all three species has been jeopardized.

If, however, species 2, in an effort to eliminate competition for food sources B and C, attempts to eradicate species 1, increased predation by species 3 will result. Again, all three species suffer reduced sustainability.

Because of the population limiting characteristics of the law, species which violate its precedents are doomed to extinction.