Ecological Communities and Species Interactions in Ecosystems

The video introduces the concept of ecology, focusing on interspecific interactions within communities. It covers competition, predation, herbivory, symbiosis, parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism, explaining how these interactions affect species in shared habitats.

What is the primary focus of a community in ecology?

• The climate of a region

• Different populations sharing a habitat

• A single species in a habitat

• The soil composition of an area

In the context of interspecific interactions, what does competition involve?

• Species migrating to new habitats

• Species competing for the same resources

• Species evolving new traits

• Species cooperating for resources

Which of the following is an example of predation?

• A fish swimming in water

• A bird building a nest

• A goat eating grass

• A plant absorbing sunlight

What is herbivory?

• A type of mutualism

• A type of predation

• A form of commensalism

• A form of competition

How does parasitism differ from predation?

• Parasitism is a form of competition

• Parasitism benefits both species

• Parasitism harms the host but benefits the parasite

• Parasitism involves no harm to any species

In mutualism, what is the relationship between the species involved?

• Both species are harmed

• One species benefits, the other is harmed

• One species benefits, the other is unaffected

• Both species benefit

What is commensalism?

• A relationship where both species benefit

• A relationship where both species are harmed

• A relationship where one species benefits and the other is unaffected

• A relationship where one species is harmed and the other benefits

Which of the following is an example of commensalism?

• Bacteria living on human skin

• Plants competing for sunlight

• A clownfish and a sea anemone

• A cheetah hunting a gazelle

What might further study of commensalism reveal?

• That it has no impact on any species

• That it may actually be mutualism or parasitism

• That it is always harmful to one species

• That it is always beneficial to both species

What should you consider when observing interspecies interactions in a habitat?

• Only the interactions between plants

• Only the interactions between animals

• All types of interspecies interactions

• Only the interactions involving humans