Ecological Interactions

1. 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.

2. Levels of Organization • Organism – a specific species of plant, animal, bacteria, fungus or other living thing that lives in a specific area • Population – a group of organisms of the same species that live in the same place at the same time. • Community – made up of populations that interact with each other • Ecosystem – several types of living things live in an environment and interact between themselves and nonliving surroundings. Also called a biome. • Biome – global ecosystem located in a specific portion of the world (i.e. deserts, oceans, forests. Characterized by the amount of rainfall per year.) • Biosphere– the living world and all biotic and abiotic factors that affect life within it.

3. What are some ecological interactions? • Competition • Predation • Symbiosis • Parasitism • Mutualism • Commensalism

4. Competition – two species share a requirement for a limited resource  reduces fitness of one or both species Kudzu vines are considered competition. Why?

5. Predation – one species feeds on another  enhances fitness of predator but reduces fitness of prey herbivory is a form of predation

6. Symbiosis – two species live together  can include parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism

7. Parasitism – one species feeds on another  enhances fitness of parasite but reduces fitness of host

8. Mutualism – two species provide resources or services to each other  enhances fitness of both species

9. Commensalism – one species receives a benefit from another species  enhances fitness of one species; no effect on fitness of the other species

10. predation herbivory parasitism commensalism commensalism competition predation herbivory parasitism competition competition Organizing ecological interactions effect on species 1 + 0 - + 0 - mutualism effect on species 2

11. 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!