1. Interactions in Ecosystems

2. Surtsey Island, Iceland
Birth of an Ecosystem
Surtsey Island, Iceland

3. Ecosystem Interactions
Competition:
Is the interaction between two or more organisms competing for the same resource in a habitat.
Competition can happen between the same species. Example:
Male mountain goat competing for the right to mate.
Competition can happen between different species. Example:
Raccoons and ravens can both feed on eggs from the same bird’s nest.

4. Ecosystem Interactions
Predation
Occurs when one organism eats another organism to obtain food.
What are some examples of the methods animals use to avoid predation?
Chameleon – colour change to blend with surroundings
Porcupine – throws needles
Deer – can usually outrun a bear

5. Mutualism Commensalism Parasitism
Types of Symbiosis
Mutualism
Commensalism
Parasitism

6. Mutualism
In Mutualism both species benefit from the symbiotic partnership.

7. Commensalism
Commensalism occurs when one species benefits from a relationship and the other organism is neither harmed nor does it benefit in any way.

8. Parasitism
Parasitism occurs when one species benefits at the expense of another species. Parasites live on or inside the host and obtain some or all of the nutrition from the host.

9. Identify the type of Symbiotic Relationship.
Commensalism
Mutualism
Parasitism

10. Ecosystem’s Carrying Capacity
As a population grows, each individual gets a smaller share of the resources in the area.
After a while, there are fewer births and more deaths. Eventually, the number of births equals the number of deaths.
equilibrium is number of deaths in a population equal to the number of births.
When this happens, the habitat is said to have reached its carrying capacity.
Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals that an ecosystem can support.

11. Limiting Factors
Is an environmental factor that prevents an increase in the number of organisms in a population.
Examples of Abiotic Limiting Factors:
Examples of Biotic Limiting Factors:
Amounts of:
sunlight
water
soil
air
storms
competition among organisms for resources
presence of predators
presence of disease-causing organisms.

12. Sustainable Ecosystem