10 Species interactions in Ecosystem with examples || Ecology

 Lets us understand ten species interactions with examples. You can watch our video here.

10 Species Interactions in Ecosystem with Examples-Ecology 6 Minutes

Type of Interaction	Description	Examples	Effect on Species A	Effect on Species B
Mutualism	Both species benefit from the interaction.	Bees and flowering plants: Bees pollinate flowers while collecting nectar. - Clownfish and sea anemones: Clownfish receive protection from predators while providing nutrients to the anemones. - Oxpeckers and large mammals: Birds eat parasites off the skin of mammals like rhinos and buffalo.	+	+
Commensalism	One species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.	Barnacles on whales: Barnacles attach to whales for mobility and feeding without affecting the whale. - Epiphytic plants on trees: Plants like orchids grow on trees to access sunlight without harming the tree. - Remoras and sharks: Remoras attach to sharks for transportation and feeding on leftover scraps.	+	0
Parasitism	One species benefits at the expense of the other.	- Tapeworms in mammals: Tapeworms live in the intestines of hosts, absorbing nutrients. - Fleas on dogs: Fleas feed on the blood of dogs, causing discomfort and potential health issues. - Mistress plants (e.g., dodder): These plants attach to host plants and extract nutrients.	+	-
Amensalism	One species is harmed while the other is unaffected.	- Penicillin-producing mold killing bacteria: The mold releases substances that inhibit bacterial growth. - Large trees shading smaller plants: The shade can inhibit growth of understory plants without affecting the tree itself. - Black walnut trees releasing juglone: This chemical inhibits growth of nearby plants but does not affect the walnut tree.	-	0
Competition	Both species are negatively affected as they compete for the same resources.	Two bird species competing for nesting sites in a tree: Both may have reduced reproductive success due to limited space. - Plants competing for sunlight in a dense forest: Taller plants may overshadow shorter ones, limiting their growth. - Fish competing for food in a shared habitat: Species like trout and bass may compete for similar food sources.	-	-
Predation	One species (predator) benefits by consuming another (prey).	- Lions hunting zebras: Lions gain nourishment while zebras face mortality risk. - Frogs eating insects: Frogs benefit from food while insects are consumed. - Eagles preying on rabbits: Eagles obtain sustenance at the expense of rabbit populations.	+	-
Neutralism	Neither species affects the other; they coexist without interaction.	- Frogs and rabbits living in the same habitat with little interaction: Both species occupy similar environments without influencing each other. - Various plant species growing in a meadow without influencing each other's growth: Species coexist without competition or mutual benefit. - Birds nesting in trees that do not affect tree health or growth.	0	0
Parasitoidism	One organism (the parasitoid) benefits by living on or in a host organism, eventually killing it.	- Wasps laying eggs inside caterpillars: The larvae consume the caterpillar from within. - Certain flies developing inside other insects (e.g., tachinid flies): The host insect is ultimately killed as the fly larvae mature. - Bees that lay eggs in beetles, where larvae consume the beetle as they develop.	+	-
Herbivory	One species (herbivore) feeds on plants, benefiting from the energy obtained while potentially harming the plant.	- Cows grazing on grass: Cows obtain nutrition while grass may suffer damage. - Caterpillars feeding on leaves of various plants: Caterpillars gain energy while damaging plant foliage. - Elephants feeding on tree bark, which can lead to tree death or stunted growth.	+	-
Symbiosis	A close and long-term interaction between two different species, which can be mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic.	- Lichens (algae and fungi). - Clownfish and sea anemones.	+ or 0 (depends on type)	+ or 0 (depends on type)

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