Ecology
Ecological Release
The expansion of an organism's niche when competitors, predators, or other limiting factors are removed. Species may exploit resources or habitats they couldn't access when constrained.
Biological Context
Island species often show ecological release—broader diets, expanded habitats, and higher population densities than mainland relatives because competitors and predators are absent. When wolves were removed from Yellowstone, elk experienced ecological release, expanding into areas and eating plants they had avoided.
Business Application
Market ecological release: when a dominant competitor exits or is disrupted, remaining players expand into newly available territory. Blockbuster's collapse released Netflix from competition; Kodak's decline released digital camera makers.