Relationships in the Ecosystem

What are the types of relationships?

1) Predator / Prey

2) Competition

3) Symbiosis

A) commensalism

B) mutualism

C) parasitism

Predator / Prey

Predator = animal that hunts another animal for food.

Prey = animal that is eaten by another.

Predator / Prey populations will change in response to each other’s population.

Predator / Prey

Competition

…when 2 organisms or species have the same niche they will compete for resources.

The “loser” will either have to leave, get another niche or die.

Symbiosis

…the relationship between different species living in close association with one another.

There are 3 types of symbiotic relationships.

1) Mutualism

…both organisms benefit.

EX: Lichen (moss & algae), Clown fish & sea anemone

Mutualism

2) Commensalism

…one organism benefits, the other isn’t helped or harmed.

EX: Whales & Barnacles

Commensalism

3) Parasitism

…one organism benefits (parasite), the other is harmed (host)

Parasite- organism that gets nutrients at the expense of another organism or lives on / within another.

EX: tapeworms, pinworms, ticks, etc…

Parasitism

Parasitism

The End