Name:__________________________
Interactions and Relationships
Abiotic Factors are _____________________________________________________________________

Examples:________________________________________________________________
Biotic Factors are ______________________________________________________________________

Examples: ________________________________________________________________
Within an ecosystem, abiotic and biotic factors ___________________________ . These are also known
as __________________________ .
Relationships
1) Predation is _______________________________________________________________________

Examples, type: ___________________________________________________________

Who benefits?_____________________________________________________________
2) Competition is _____________________________________________________________________

Examples, type: ___________________________________________________________

Who benefits?_____________________________________________________________
3) Symbiotic Relationships are __________________________________________________________

Mutualism is ________________________________________________________________
o Examples, type: ________________________________________________________
o Who benefits?__________________________________________________________

Commensalism is ____________________________________________________________
o Examples, type: ________________________________________________________
o Who benefits?__________________________________________________________

Neutralism is ________________________________________________________________
o Examples, type: ________________________________________________________
o Who benefits? __________________________________________________________

Parasitism is ________________________________________________________________
o Examples, type: ________________________________________________________
o Who benefits? __________________________________________________________
Interactions!
Name: _________________________________
Group Members: _________________________
___________________________
Instructions:
1. Choose an ecosystem (savannah, desert, tropical rain forest, coral reef, bottomland
hardwood forest, etc.) to study.
2. Make a list of the abiotic elements in your ecosystem.
3. Make a list of the biotic elements (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores) in your ecosystem.
4. You must have at least 3 abiotic elements, 3 plants, 4 herbivores, 4 omnivores and 4
carnivores in your ecosystem.
5. Design an interactions web. Draw lines between the elements to show there is
interaction between the two elements. Use arrows to show which is the consumer.
6. Write the type of interaction that is occurring on each line.
to use each type of interaction that was discussed today.
7. Switch webs with 1 other group. Make corrections or additions to their web.
8. Answer the questions on the other side of this sheet.
Be sure
Abiotic:
_________________________________________________________________
Biotic:
_________________________________________________________________
-Adapted from http://www.lpb.org/education/classroom/itv/envirotacklebox/teacherguide/module5/5popln2.htm
Questions
Answer the following questions in full sentences and in the space provided. You may use
the back of the sheet if you need more space.
1. Do plants and animals depend on their interactions with the abiotic factors in their environment? Why
or why not?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
2. How might humans affect these interactions? Give examples. ________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. Describe the changes in relationships that might occur if one of the producers disappeared. Consumer?
What effects might this have on population sizes?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
-Adapted from http://www.lpb.org/education/classroom/itv/envirotacklebox/teacherguide/module5/5popln2.htm