Interactions between species
A community is a group of interactions of different species.
Species interactions form the basis for many ecosystems such as nutrient cycling and food webs.
Interactions between species may be positive, negative or neutral.
There are many types of interactions between species. We see it our everyday lives, but may not realize it.
The first type of interaction is Mutualism, which means that two organisms of different species benefit from one another.
For example humans give carbon dioxide to plants, while plants gives oxygen to human and animals.
The second type is Commensalism, which means that one organism benefits from the other, without benefiting or affecting the other one. For example a suckerfish and a shark, the suckerfish is taken to distant areas while being protected from predators, but the shark does not get any benefit from the suckerfish.
The third type is Competition, which is a negative interaction that happens between organisms when they need the same limited resource. For example, animals require food and water but cannot consume it if another animals consume it first. Therefore, Competitors reduce the growth and reproduction and survival of one another.
The fourth type is Antagonistic, which is where one species benefit, and the other is disadvantaged. Predation, Herbivory, and Parasitism are types of antagonist interactions.
Predation is where one organism kills and consumes another.
Herbivory is where animals consume plants.
Parasitism is where an organism, the parasite, consumes nutrients from another organism, its host, is harmed by the relationship. Parasites include plants, animals and also viruses and bacteria.
Parasites that live on their host are called Ectoparasites, which includes fleas and mites. Parasites that live inside their host are called Endoparasites, which include worms, bacteria and viruses.
The last type is Amensalism, which is where one species is inhibited or destroyed and the other one is unaffected. It involves one restricting the success of the other without being affected positively or negatively by the presence of the other.
There are two types of Amensalism, which are competition and antibiosis. In competition a larger or more powerful organism excludes another organism from its source of shelter or food.
For example, elephants that crush plants and insects while moving though a forest.
In antibiosis, one organism secretes a chemical that kills the other organism, while the one that secreted the chemical is unharmed.
For example, black walnut trees, secretes a chemical that harms or kills some species of neighbouring plants, from its roots.