Species Interactions
Niche (“nitch”) A species role in its ecosystem Ex - Spiders eat many smaller insects, bees help to pollinate flowers. No two species can occupy the same exact niche in their environment
How do biotic factors interact? 1. Competition – organisms fight for places to live, food to eat and organisms to mate with.
2. Predation – things are eating or being eaten.
3. Symbiosis – two species living closely together Types of Symbiosis: Mutualism – both species benefit. (flowers & bees) Commensalism – one member benefits the other is unaffected. (barnacles & whales) Parasitism – one member benefits and the other is harmed. (tapeworm)