Population – group of individuals of the same species

living in the same area, potentially interacting

Community – group of populations of different species

living in the same area, potentially interacting

What are some ecological interactions?

Why are ecological interactions important?

Interactions can affect distribution and

abundance.

Interactions can influence evolution.

Think about how the following interactions can affect

distribution, abundance, and evolution.
Types of ecological interactions

competition
predation
parasitism
mutualism
commensalism
symbiosis
Competition – two species share a requirement for a
limited resource  reduces fitness of one or both species
Predation – one species feeds on another  enhances
fitness of predator but reduces fitness of prey

herbivory is a form of
predation
Parasitism – one species feeds on another  enhances
fitness of parasite but reduces fitness of host
Mutualism – two species provide resources or services
to each other  enhances fitness of both species
Commensalism – one species receives a benefit from
another species  enhances fitness of one species; no
effect on fitness of the other species
Symbiosis – two species live together  can include
parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism
 Organizing ecological
interactions
effect on species 1

+ 0 -
predation
+ mutualism commensalism
herbivory

effect on parasitism
species 0 commensalism competition
2
predation
- herbivory competition competition
parasitism