Interference competition occurs when individuals or species directly interact to limit each other's access to resources. This can happen through aggressive behaviors, such as fighting or territorial disputes, where one organism actively prevents another from obtaining food, mates, or shelter. In ecosystems, interference competition can significantly impact population dynamics and community structure. For example, predators may compete for the same prey, while plants might compete for sunlight and space. This type of competition can lead to changes in species distribution and abundance, influencing overall biodiversity in an area.