2. Interactions Within
Ecosystems
http://www.kidsgeo.com/images/ecosystem.jpg
"No man is an island.” This saying is
also true for organisms in an ecosystem. No
organism exists in isolation. Individual
organisms live together in an ecosystem and
depend on one another. In fact, they have
many different types of interactions with each
other, and many of these interactions are
critical for their survival.
3. Groups of living things interact
within ecosystems
The environment can be organized into five levels
1. Biome : region with similar climate, types of
plants, and animals
2. Ecosystem: The living and non-living things that
interact in one environment.
3. Community: The living organisms of an
ecosystem
4. Population: A group of organisms of the same
species that live in the same area.
5. Organism: A single living thing, made up of one
or many cells, that is capable of growing and
reproducing.
4. Patterns Exist in Populations
Patterns in Living
Space
Animals in a habitat
are located based on
food supplies, water,
and shelter
locations.
Some animals live in
large groups for
safety ( fish and
elephants )
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/90/208997985_692784c75f.jpg
http://www.biology-blog.com/images/blogs/3-2007/the-majestic-elephants-of-southern.jpg
5. Patterns in Time
Population sizes can change with seasons
Many organisms migrate to other areas
(monarch butterflies and birds)
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/images/graphics/monarch/monarch13.jpg
6. Organisms Interact in Different Ways
Organisms may cooperate, compete, or
depend on each other for survival
Predator and Prey relationships
Predators can affect how the prey populations
are distributed (fish in large groups)
Prey can affect the location and number in
predator populations (birds feeding on insects
migrate to the areas where the insects are
plentiful)
7. Organisms Interact in Different Ways
Competition
Competition is the
struggle between
individuals or
different
populations for a
limited resource
http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=95240&rendTypeId=4
8. Organisms Interact in Different Ways
Competition
When two organisms compete
or fight for the same limited
resource such as food, shelter,
a mate, or sunlight, there is
usually a winner and a loser (+
-), but if the competitors fight
literally to the death and kill
each other, the interaction has
become negative for both (- -).
http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=95240&rendTypeId=4
9. Intraspecific
Competition can
happen with the same
species (plants
compete for light,
space, and nutrients)
Interspecific
Competition between
different species
(hyenas and vultures
compete for remains of
dead animals)
http://www.duiops.net/seresvivos/galeria/hienas/hyena-and-whitebacked-vultures-
01301147b.jpg
10. Organisms Interact in Different Ways
Cooperation
Some organisms work
together to benefit each
other
Killer whales hunt in pods
(groups)
Ants, bees, and termites
(members of a colony have
different roles and
responsibilities…queen
bee, worker bees, etc.)
http://www.apitherapy.com.au/contents/media/l_bee%20pollen%20dw.jpg
11. Survival of One Species Might Depend
on Another Species
Symbiosis: two different species who live
together in a close relationship
Both species benefit
One species benefits while the other is not
affected
One species benefits while the other is harmed
12. Types of Symbiosis
Mutualism: Two species interacting with each
other that benefits both species. (bees and
flowers)
http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/images/bee_flower.jpg
13. Types of Symbiosis
Commensalism: two
species interacting
with each other with
one species
benefiting and the
other unaffected.
(jellyfish and fish)
http://www.immediart.com/catalog/images/big_images/SPL_R_Z140032-Jellyfish_with_fish-SPL.jpg
14. Types of Symbiosis
Parasitism: two species interacting while one
species benefits and the host species is harmed
Examples of human parasites.
http://www.gifam.org/pic006.htm
15. Populations Change Over Time
Population growth and
decline
Predator-prey
interactions can affect
population increase or
decrease ( as a wolf
population increases
the moose population
decreases)
Birth rate may decline
or increase http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2007/10/071019183055-large.jpg
16. Populations Change Over Time
Limiting factors:
any factor or
condition that limits
the growth of a
population in an
ecosystem (food,
water, light, large
group of predators,
small group of
prey)
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/hunter_education/homestudy/wildlife/wildlife/limit.phtml?print=true
17. Maintaining a Balance in an Ecosystem
Carrying Capacity: the maximum number of
individuals that an ecosystem can support.
Limiting factors affect the carrying capacity
http://www.hunter-ed.com/images/graphics/carrying_capacity_chart.gif
18. Ecosystems change over time
Succession: the gradual change in an ecosystem
in which one biological community is replaced by
another.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/urbanscout/succession-subsistence-1.jpg
19. Primary Succession
Primary succession: The establishment of a new
biological community in an area of bare rocks.
(plants moving in after a lava flow or glacier retreats)
http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=95197&rendTypeId=36
20. Secondary Succession
Secondary Succession: Occurs after a
major disturbance happens and the soil
still remains. (forest fire)
http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=95198&rendTypeId=36
21. Main Points on Organism Interactions
in Ecosystems
Groups of living things interact within
ecosystems (biome, ecosystem,
community, population, organism)
Organisms can interact in different ways
(symbiosis: mutualism, commensalism,
parasitism)
Ecosystems are always changing (primary
and secondary succession)
