Ecosystem Interactions

In an ecosystem, many interactions are happening all the time. In an ecosystem, many interactions are happening all the time. There are 3 main ways that organisms interact with eachother. There are 3 main ways that organisms interact with eachother.

Competition The interaction between two or more organisms competing for the same resource in a given habitat. The interaction between two or more organisms competing for the same resource in a given habitat. Can occur between members of the same species Can occur between members of the same species Ie. males compete to determine who will mate and produce offspring Ie. males compete to determine who will mate and produce offspring

Competition Similar species can coexist in an area, but must have slightly different niches. Similar species can coexist in an area, but must have slightly different niches. Ie. different species of warblers can feed on worms in the same tree but each feeds in a different part of the tree Ie. different species of warblers can feed on worms in the same tree but each feeds in a different part of the tree

Predation One organism eats another organism to obtain food. One organism eats another organism to obtain food. Prey animals are well adapted to avoid being eaten Prey animals are well adapted to avoid being eaten

Examples of Prey Defenses Deer can outrun a bear Deer can outrun a bear Porcupines have quills to defend themselves Porcupines have quills to defend themselves Camouflage helps hide the prey from their predators Camouflage helps hide the prey from their predators

Butterfly Survival Monarch butterflies taste horrible and have bright colours to warn predators of this fact Monarch butterflies taste horrible and have bright colours to warn predators of this fact Other butterflies (like the viceroy) mimic the monarch’s colouring so predators will avoid them as well Other butterflies (like the viceroy) mimic the monarch’s colouring so predators will avoid them as well

Predator Adaptations Many predators have sharp eyesight, a keen sense of smell, or both. Many predators have sharp eyesight, a keen sense of smell, or both. An owl can spot a mouse in the dark from high above and swoop down on wings that are adated to make no sound. An owl can spot a mouse in the dark from high above and swoop down on wings that are adated to make no sound. The owl’s sharp beak and claws are also adapted to snag and kill its prey.

Symbiosis A close interaction between two different species in which members of one species live in, on, or near members of another species. A close interaction between two different species in which members of one species live in, on, or near members of another species. Three main types of symbiosis: Three main types of symbiosis:MutualismCommensalismParasitism

Mutualism Both species benefit from the partnership Both species benefit from the partnership Ie. A fungus lives in the underground colony of leafcutter ants. The fungus gets a supply of leaves and the ants eat certain parts of the fungus. Ie. A fungus lives in the underground colony of leafcutter ants. The fungus gets a supply of leaves and the ants eat certain parts of the fungus. Ie. Remoras follow sharks around eating bits of food off the shark. In return for the cleaning, the shark doesn’t eat the remora Ie. Remoras follow sharks around eating bits of food off the shark. In return for the cleaning, the shark doesn’t eat the remora

Commensalism One species benefits without any harm or benefit to the other species. One species benefits without any harm or benefit to the other species. Ie. a bird building a nest in a tree Ie. a bird building a nest in a tree

Parasitism One species benefits at the expense of another species. One species benefits at the expense of another species. Parasites live on or inside the host species and obtain some or all of their nutrition from the host. Parasites live on or inside the host species and obtain some or all of their nutrition from the host. Ie ticks live on the bodies of mammals and feed on the host’s blood Ie ticks live on the bodies of mammals and feed on the host’s blood