SYMBIOSIS: relationships in nature

Definition of Adaptation Characteristics that allow an animal to survive in its environment. These characteristics allow the animal to find food, protect themselves, communicate, and mate Can be physical or behavioral

Competition In a biological community, competition is the struggle between individuals or different populations for a limited resource In an ecosystem, competition may occur within the same species (two bushes competing for same water source) Can also occur between members of different species

Cooperation Not all interactions in an ecosystem involve competition. Cooperation is an interaction in which organisms work in a way that benefits them all. Some predators cooperate when they hunt

Definition of Symbiosis When organisms share food and other resources. There are three types of symbiotic relationships: mutualism, commensalism, parasitism.

Mutualism: a relationship between two species of organisms in which both benefit from the association.

Examples of Mutualism (+/+) These guys are “Pals” or “Buddies” Both species benefit Orchids and Fungi Orchid benefits because the fungi grows on the root and helps bring in nutrients to plant Fungi benefits because it ingests food from the plant during photosynthesis Fruit and Birds Bird benefits because the fruit provides nutrition for the bird Fruit benefits because the birds fly around and expel waste which in turn disperses fruit seeds to new areas

Commensalism: A relationship between two species of organisms in which one species benefits and the other is not affected

Examples of Commensalism (+/0) These guys are “Hitchhikers” One species benefits, the other is not affected Cattle Egret (bird) & Cattle Bird benefits because the cattle stir up insects while they graze Cattle does not benefit from birds being around Barnacles & Scallops Barnacles benefit because they attach to scallop as a place to live Scallops don’t care and are unaffected by the barnacles.

Parasitism: A relationship between two species of organisms which is harmful to one, and beneficial to the other

Examples of Parasitism (+/-) These guys are “Pickpockets” One species benefits, the other harmed Fleas & Cats Flea benefits because it feeds on blood of the cat Cat is harmed because they lose blood Ticks & Deer The tick benefits because it feeds on blood Deer is harmed because they lose blood and sometimes the tick can be poisonous

Limiting Factors in an ecosystem a limiting factor is one that controls a process, such as organism growth or species population size or distribution. The availability of food, predation pressure, or availability of shelter are examples of factors that could be limiting for a species population in a specific area. Climate, space, food, water and predators are limiting factors.