Ecological Interactions

• 8.L.3.2 – Summarize the relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers including the positive and negative consequences of such interactions.– I can explain the difference between

competition and predation.– I can compare and contrast the three types of

symbiotic relationships that occur in communities: mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism.

Levels of Organization

1. Organism – a specific species of plant, animal, bacteria, fungus or other living thing that lives in a specific area

2. Population – a group of organisms of the same species that live in the same place at the same time.

3. Community – made up of populations that interact with each other

4. Ecosystem – several types of living things live in an environment and interact between themselves and nonliving surroundings. Also called a biome.

1. Biome – global ecosystem located in a specific portion of the world (i.e. deserts, oceans, forests. Characterized by the amount of rainfall per year.)

5. Biosphere – the living world and all biotic and abiotic factors that affect life within it.

What are some ecological interactions?

• Competition

• Predation

• Symbiosis• Parasitism

• Mutualism

• Commensalism

Competition – two species share a requirement for alimited resource reduces fitness of one or both species

Kudzu vines are considered competition. Why?

Predation – one species feeds on another enhancesfitness of predator but reduces fitness of prey

herbivory is a form ofpredation

Symbiosis – two species live together can includeparasitism, mutualism, and commensalism

Parasitism – one species feeds on another enhancesfitness of parasite but reduces fitness of host

Mutualism – two species provide resources or servicesto each other enhances fitness of both species

Commensalism – one species receives a benefit fromanother species enhances fitness of one species; noeffect on fitness of the other species

Organizing ecological interactions

effect on species 1

effect onspecies 2

+ 0 -

+

0

-

mutualism

predationherbivoryparasitism

predationherbivoryparasitism

commensalism

commensalism

competition

competition

competition

Symbiosis “Wanted” Poster• You will create a “Wanted” poster depicting a symbiotic

relationship – parasitism, mutualism, or commensalism• Size – 8 ½ x 11 plain paper. NO NOTEBOOK PAPER!• Must include:

– What you are looking for and why

– Explain the type of relationship• Mutualism – both organisms benefit

• Commensalism – one organism receives no harm or benefit

• Parasitism – one organism is harmed

– Pictures of both organisms

– Creativity (make it funny, interesting)

– Color!