Community Ecology - Ecological Relationships

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What is a niche?

Back

An organism's job or role in its environment, including how it gets its energy and nutrients, where it lives, and how it interacts with other organisms.

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What is mutualism?

Back

A type of ecological relationship where both organisms involved benefit from the interaction.

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What is an example of mutualism?

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A clownfish and a sea anemone; the clownfish gets protection while the anemone gets food.

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What is a community in ecology?

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Groups of different species that live in a given area and interact with each other.

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What is commensalism?

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A type of ecological relationship where one organism benefits while the other is unaffected.

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What is an example of commensalism?

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Barnacles attaching to a whale; the barnacles benefit by getting a ride to feeding areas, while the whale is not affected.

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What is a biotic factor?

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Any living component that affects the population of another organism, or the environment.

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What is an abiotic factor?

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Any non-living component that affects the environment, such as temperature, water, and sunlight.

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What is parasitism?

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A type of ecological relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

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What is an example of parasitism?

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A tick feeding on a dog; the tick benefits while the dog suffers.