Community Interactions

Three types of interactions–Competition–Predation–Symbiosis

MutalismParasitismCommensalism

Competition- competing for resources

occurs due to a limited number of resources

Resource- any necessity of life. water, nutrients, light, food.

Competitive exclusion principle- no two species can occupy the same niche in the same habitat at the same time

Predation Predation- when

an organism captures and feeds on another organism.

Predator- hunter Prey- hunted

Symbiosis

Symbiosis- any relationship where two species live closely together. (3 types)–Mutualism–Commensalism–Parasitism

Symbiosis - Mutualism Mutualism- both

species benefit from a relationship.

Lichens (fungus and Algae)

One example is the lichens, little non-descript patches of stuff you see growing on rocks and tree bark. This is a symbiosis, consisting of a fungus and an alga. The fungus provides a protective home for the algae, and gathers mineral nutrients from rainwater and from dissolving the rock underneath. The alga gathers energy from the sun. There are thousands of species of lichen in the world; actually thousands of species of fungi with just a few species of algae which can form a partnership with almost any of them.

Symbiosis - Mutualism Mutualism- both

species benefit from a relationship.

Mychorrizae (plant and fungus)

One example is the mychorrizae – the fungus embeds itself in the roots of the plant and provides additionalSurface area for absorption of nutrients. In return, the plant provides a place for the fungus to live as well as Sugars from photosynthesis that are stored in the roots.

Symbiosis - Commensalism

Commensalism – One member of a symbiotic relationship benefits and the other is neither helped or harmed

Ex. Holes used by bluebirds in a tree were chiseled out by woodpeckers after it has been abandoned .

Symbiosis - Parasitism

Parasitism- One creature benefits and one creature is harmed

Ex tapeworm. Feeds in a humans intestines absorbing his/her nutrients.

Relationships:Symbiosis = Living Togethera)

commensalismb) mutualism

c) parasitism

Identify these relationships