Interactions in an

Ecosystem
Guided Notes

Interactions
How doORGANISMS in
anECOSYSTEM interact?
ORGANISMS in an ecosystem interact
with plants, animals and
theirENVIRONMENT.
INTERACTIONS can cause populations
toINCREASE or DECREASE.
INTERACTIONS can also cause
theECOSYSTEM to change.

Stability
What is a stableECOSYSTEM?
A stableECOSYSTEM is one in which
thePOPULATION and resources change
in aPREDICTABLE manner.
In a stableECOSYSTEM, there is healthy
balance betweenPREDATOR and PREY.

Predation
What isPREDATION?
AnINTERACTION species
in whichPREDATORS eat
PREY.
This
healthyRELATIONSHIP
balances the
populations within
anECOSYSTEM.
Example:lions eating
gazelles in a grassland
regulate the number
ofgazelles in the
grassland.

Impact of Predation
How does thePREDATOR/ prey
relationship affect POPULATION ?
If the number of prey in aPOPULATION
increases then the number
ofPREDATORS will also increase.
If the number ofPREDATORS decreases,
then the number of prey willINCREASE.

Competition
What
isCOMPETITION?
When species within
anECOSYSTEM compete
for the sameRESOURCES.
Organisms in
anECOSYSTEM compete
for:
FOOD
WATER
SPACE

Example: In the ocean,

dolphins, whales and
large fish all compete for
smaller fish.

Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiosis =Living together in a close environment
__________________________
Sym = same time, together
Bio = life

Co-exist: synonym or antonym?

To work together
towards
Cooperate means ___________________
a common end goal or purpose (think group work)
_______________________________________

Attack of the Killer Fungi!

Cordyceps - Planet Earth
Make note:
Is an organism benefiting?
Is an organism being harmed?
Can you connect this type of
relationship to something you have
already learned?

The 3 symbiotic
relationships
A. Mutualism (+/+)
Both organisms benefit

B. Parasitism(+/-)
1 organsism benefits, another is harmed

C. Commensalism(+/o)
1 organism benefits, other is unaffected

Lets recall
Mutualism

Commensalism

Parasitism

both organisms
benefit

one organism
benefits
one organism
is unaffected

one organism
benefits
one organism
is harmed

Mutualism
Bothorganismsbenefitfrominteraction
OrganismOneOrganismTwo

Anemone & Clown Fish

Thisfishlivesitsentire
adultlifeamongthe
tentaclesofabulbtentacle
seaanemone.Clownfishdo
notgetstungbythe
anemoneaswouldmost
otherfishsotheyget
protectionfrompredators.
Thefishoftendropfood
scrapswhichtheanemones
caneat.

Commensalism

Oneorganismbenefits,theotherisnotaffected.
OrganismOneOrganismTwo

Shark&Remora
The remora attaches itself
to the shark and saves
energy since it doesnt
have to swim, and it gets to
snack on the sharks kills.
The shark doesnt get
anything.

Parasitism
Oneorganismbenefitsandtheotherorganism(host)
isharmed
OrganismOneOrganismTwo

Loa Loa Worm & Human

This worm
infects the
human blood
stream and gets a
nice warm safe
home there. The
human may go
blind or have
other
complications as
a result.

Cooperation
Working together so all organisms
benefit

Ants!
Despite having different
jobs, all ants work
together for the good of
their colony.

Competition
Fighting for resources- food, water,
shelter, mates

Red Deer
During mating
season, red deer
males will get in
many fights to
be considered
the best male for
the females to
mate.

Predation
One animal hunts, the other is the
food

Predation
The killer whale
swims beneath
the seals and
then goes up
towards the
surface,
scooping part of
the seal in its
mouth.

What kind of interaction?

You will see real life examples of the
interactions addressed in the
powerpoint.

Honey bees
Honey bees
have
specific
roles to
complete
for the
success of
the colony.
Whatinteractionisthis?

cooperation

Boxer Crab & Anemones

This Boxer Crab
carries a pair of
stinging anemones in
its claws, which it uses
to defend itself from
predators. The
anemones get to move
around which
increases their food
supply.
Whatinteractionisthis?

mutualism

EmperorShrimp&SeaCucumber
This tiny emperor shrimp is
riding along on the back of a
sea cucumber (a long wormlike starfish relative) while it
crawls along a sandy bottom.
The shrimp gets to travel
around under the protection of
its much larger partner, and
the sea cucumber doesn't
seem to mind.

Whatinteractionisthis?

commensalism

The Purple Sea Star

The purple sea
star consistently
feeds on the
barnacles that
are the greatest
number. They all
feed on the same
type of barnacles.
Whatinteractionisthis?

competition

Cattle & Cattle Egrets

As these cattle walk
around eating grass they
stir up lots of insects.
The egrets hang around
and get a yummy meal of
insects.

Whatinteractionisthis?
commensalism

Antelope & Ox Bird

This ox bird
hangs out on the
antelope and gets
a delicious meal
of bugs living on
the antelope. The
antelope gets rid
of parasites.

Whatinteractionisthis?

mutualism

Dragonflies and mosquitoes

predation

Dragonflies
eat
mosquito
larvae and
fully mature
mosquitoes.
Whatinteractionisthis?

Goby and Alpheid Shrimp

Thisalpheidshrimp(on
theright)usesitsstrong
clawslikeabulldozerto
createaburrowinthe
sand.Theshrimpisnearly
blind.Itreliesuponits
partner,thesharpeyed
goby,towarnofdanger.
Whenapotentialpredator
approaches,bothanimals
disappearquicklyintothe
burrow

mutualism
Whatinteractionisthis?