Download Commensalism

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 a
limited resource  reduces fitness of one or both species
Kudzu vines are considered competition. Why?
Predation – one species feeds on another  enhances
fitness of predator but reduces fitness of prey
herbivory is a form of
predation
Symbiosis – two species live together  can include
parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism
Parasitism – one species feeds on another  enhances
fitness of parasite but reduces fitness of host
Mutualism – two species provide resources or services
to each other  enhances fitness of both species
Commensalism – one species receives a benefit from
another species  enhances fitness of one species; no
effect on fitness of the other species
Organizing ecological interactions
effect on species 1
+
effect on
species 2
+
mutualism
0
commensalism
-
predation
herbivory
parasitism
0
-
commensalism
predation
herbivory
parasitism
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!