An ecologist studies a forest area for evidence of competition among organisms. She chooses a specific location where a tree was struck by lightning. The lightning strike caused the tree to fall over, leaving a space in the tree canopy for light to pass through. Which of these observations provides the best evidence of competition?


Many tree seedlings crowd the open space and attempt to grow in the sunlight.


Snakes come into the open space and eat small rodents that can easily be spotted in the sunlight.


Termites, with microorganisms in their stomachs to help them digest wood, are found on the fallen tree.


A type of plant, called a bromeliad, grows in the branches of the fallen tree and continues to survive even though the tree has fallen