And other types of interactions among organisms Symbiosis And other types of interactions among organisms

Ecosystems Abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) factors work together to create an ecosystem The area in which an organism lives is called its habitat In its habitat each organism needs to fill a different role The way an organism uses and affects the resources within its habitat are its niche, which includes What the organism eats What eats it Resources the organism uses or creates Physical conditions needed for that organism to survive How it reproduces Any relationships it has with other organisms

Niche Niches help reduce competition, but competition will still exist because some aspects of the niche will overlap other organisms niches There are many niches in one habitat because of the diversity of life that exists there Each species fills a different niche, if two species filled exactly the same role there would be competition. One specie would be slightly more successful causing the other specie to die off. Other factors can cause a population to decline as well . . .

Competition Any resource that affects an organisms growth, size, species population, or distribution is considered a limiting factor This is because if that resource is taken away or added that organism or population will suffer Limiting factors can affect organisms on an individual level or at the population level

Competition Members of different species may compete for food, space, and prey on one another. Members of the same species will compete with one another for food, but they may also compete over living space, and mates. Organisms that get food and living space are more likely to find a mate and pass on their favorable traits; this leads to adaptation because of natural selection

Adaptations The favorable traits that are passed on cause organisms to become better adapted to their environments (evolution) Any trait that helps an organism survive is an adaptation Some examples are . . . Camouflage Mimicry Self-defense Etc . . .

Symbiosis Symbiosis – relationship in which two species live very closely together Mutualism – when both species benefit from their relationship Parasitism – when one species benefits and the other species is harmed in the relationship Commensalism – when one organism benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefitting