Ecosystem Interactions

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What is competition in an ecosystem?

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Competition occurs when two or more organisms vie for the same resources (like space, nutrients, or light) in an ecosystem.

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What is mutualism?

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Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction, such as the Nile crocodile and the Egyptian plover bird.

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What is biodiversity?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the number of different species.

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How does high biodiversity affect ecosystem stability?

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Ecosystems with high biodiversity are more stable and are more likely to recover from environmental changes.

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What is a keystone species?

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A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

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What happens when a keystone species is removed?

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The removal of a keystone species can lead to a collapse of the ecosystem and a significant decrease in biodiversity.

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What is commensalism?

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Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

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What is parasitism?

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Parasitism is a relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another, often harming the host.

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What are some factors that can disrupt stable ecosystems?

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Factors such as deforestation, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and tornadoes can disrupt stable ecosystems.

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What is predation?

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Predation is an interaction where one organism (the predator) kills and eats another organism (the prey).