Species Interactions

Niche (“nitch”)

A species role in its ecosystem

Ex - Spiders eat many smaller insects, bees help to pollinate flowers.

No two species can occupy the same exact niche in their environment

How do biotic factors

interact?

1. Competition – organisms fight for places to live, food to eat and organisms to mate with.

2. Predation – things are eating or being eaten.

3. Symbiosis – two species living closely together Types of Symbiosis:

Mutualism – both species benefit. (flowers & bees)

Commensalism – one member benefits the other is unaffected. (barnacles & whales)

Parasitism – one member benefits and the other is harmed. (tapeworm)