Symbiosis: Mutualism, Commensalism and Parasitism The species in an ecosystem will interact in different ways. These interactions may have positive, neutral or negative impacts on the species involved. The term symbiosis can be used to broadly refer to these types of relationships as it directly translates to mean living together (sym: with; bio: life). Symbiosis…
Tag: Ecology
The Ecosystem
The Ecosystem An ecosystem is a system formed from the interaction between all the organisms living in a specific area, as well as the interactions these organisms have with the non-living components of their environment, such as air, soil, water and sunlight. In other words, an ecosystem consists of a community (all the species in…
Feeding Relationships
Feeding Relationships Energy is contained within organic molecules produced by autotrophs (organisms that make their own food) – such as plants. These energy rich organic molecules are made by autotrophs through the process of photosynthesis. Because these autotrophs are able to make their own food, they are called producers. These producers provide food (material and…
Food Chain and Food Webs
Food Chain and Food Webs Within an actual ecosystem the feeding relations are more complex than simple food chains. This is because tertiary consumers may also feed on primary consumers and secondary consumers. There is also selective feeding among consumers. For example, secondary consumers may not consume all primary consumers and primary consumers may not…
Food Chains
All animals, as long as they are living, need to eat food. There is a permanent order among animals, depending on what they are built to consume, that decides how food gets eaten. In this permanent order, there is a flow of energy and materials from one organism to the next. The scenario of who…
Food Chains, Food Webs, Energy Pyramid in Ecosystems
The Food Web
Components of the Ecosystem
Symbiosis: Mutualism, Commensalism and Parasitism
Appropriate Sampling Methods for an Ecological Study
When investigations into specific habitats need to occur for whatever reason, be it analysis of species present or the viability of the habitat under certain conditions, sampling becomes essential. It would be a tedious process to count every animal in the habitat in addition to gathering other information such as different sizes and colours of…