Interactions Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Interactions?
Interactions between two species can be either beneficial or detrimental to both parties involved. Beneficial interactions are those that create a mutually beneficial relationship, while detrimental interactions are those that harm one or both of the species involved. One type of beneficial interaction between two species is commensalism. This occurs when one species benefits from the other without causing any harm. For example, anemones often attach themselves to the shells of hermit crabs; this provides protection for the anemone from predators and does not hinder the movement of the hermit crab in any way. Another type of beneficial interaction is mutualism, which occurs when both species benefit from their relationship with each other. Pollination is a common example of mutualism; bees and flowers have a symbiotic relationship whereby bees collect nectar and pollen from flowers, providing them with food, while also transferring pollen between different plants to help them reproduce. Detrimental interactions occur when one or both species are harmed by their relationship with each other. Predation is one form of detrimental interaction; predators hunt prey animals for food and shelter, reducing their populations over time if unchecked by natural factors such as disease or climate change. Competition is another form of detrimental interaction; two competing species may compete for resources such as food or space that are necessary for survival, resulting in decreased populations over time due to resource scarcity caused by competition. Overall, interactions between two species can be either beneficial or detrimental depending on how they interact with each other and what resources they require from each other in order to survive and thrive in their habitat.