Relationships in Ecosystems

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Ecosystem Noun

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[ee-koh-sis-tuhm]

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Ecosystem

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A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical, nonliving environment, functioning as a single unit.

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Example: A pond ecosystem with fish, plants, and water showing how living and nonliving parts interact.

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Biotic Factors Noun

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[bahy-ot-ik fak-terz]

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Biotic Factors

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The living or once-living parts of an ecosystem, including all plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.

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Example: This image shows biotic factors in a pond, including fish, plants, and microorganisms.

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Abiotic Factors Noun

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[ey-bahy-ot-ik fak-terz]

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Abiotic Factors

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The nonliving chemical and physical parts of an ecosystem that affect living organisms and their environment.

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Example: The image shows abiotic factors such as sunlight, water, and temperature, which are nonliving parts of an ecosystem affecting organisms.

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Population Noun

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[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn]

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Population

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A group of individuals of the same species living and interbreeding within a given geographical area.

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Example: A group of ladybugs living together in the same area shows a population.

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Community Noun

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[kuh-myoo-ni-tee]

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Community

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An interacting group of various species in a common location, representing the living part of an ecosystem.

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Example: A pond ecosystem where fish, plants, and other organisms interact, illustrating a community.

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Competition Noun

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[kom-pi-tish-uhn]

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Competition

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An interaction between organisms or species in which both are harmed by their shared need for a limited resource.

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Example: Two deer locking antlers show competition for resources in their habitat.

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Predation Noun

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[pri-dey-shuhn]

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Predation

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A biological interaction where one organism, the predator, hunts, kills, and eats another organism, its prey.

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Example: A fox hunting and catching a rabbit demonstrates predation.

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Symbiosis Noun

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[sim-bahy-oh-sis]

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Symbiosis

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Any type of a close and long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms.

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Example: Ants protect aphids for honeydew, showing symbiosis.

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Mutualism Noun

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[myoo-choo-uh-liz-uhm]

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Mutualism

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A symbiotic relationship between two different species where both individuals derive a fitness benefit from the interaction.

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Example: Ants protect aphids and receive honeydew in return, showing mutualism.

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Commensalism Noun

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[kuh-men-suh-liz-uhm]

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Commensalism

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A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits from the association while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

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Example: Birds benefit by eating insects stirred up by the cow, which is unaffected.