Relationships in the
Ecosystem
What are the types of
relationships?
1) Predator / Prey
2) Competition
3) Symbiosis
A) commensalism
B) mutualism
C) parasitism
Predator / Prey
Predator = animal that hunts another animal
for food.
Prey = animal that is eaten by another.
Predator / Prey populations will change in
response to each other’s population.
Predator / Prey
Competition
…when 2 organisms or species have the
same niche they will compete for
resources.
The “loser” will either have to leave, get
another niche or die.
Symbiosis
…the relationship between different species
living in close association with one
another.
There are 3 types of symbiotic relationships.
1) Mutualism
…both organisms benefit.
EX: Lichen (moss & algae), Clown fish &
sea anemone
Mutualism
2) Commensalism
…one organism benefits, the other isn’t
helped or harmed.
EX: Whales & Barnacles
Commensalism
3) Parasitism
…one organism benefits (parasite), the
other is harmed (host)
Parasite- organism that gets nutrients at the
expense of another organism or lives on /
within another.
EX: tapeworms, pinworms, ticks, etc…
Parasitism
Parasitism
The End