Ecological Relationships
What are the types of ecological relationships? Predator / Prey Competition Cooperation Symbiosis Commensalism Mutualism Parasitism
Predator / Prey Predator = animal that hunts another animal for food. Prey = animal that is eaten by another. Predator / Prey populations will change in response to each other’s population.
Predator / Prey
Competition …when 2 organisms or species have the same niche they will compete for resources. The “loser” will either have to leave, get another niche, or will eventually die out.
Cooperation/Neutralism Organisms working together to benefit the ecosystem Example: A bee pollinating a flower, & in return, the flower provides the bee nectar for food.
Symbiosis …the relationship between different species living in close association with one another with at least one organism being benefitted. There are 3 types of symbiotic relationships.
A) Mutualism …both organisms benefit. ex: clown fish & sea anemone
Mutualism
B) Commensalism …one organism benefits, the other isn’t helped or harmed. ex: Whales & Barnacles
Commensalism
C) Parasitism …one organism benefits (parasite), the other is harmed (host) EX: tapeworms, pinworms, ticks, etc…
Parasitism
BrainPOP - Symbiosis