mention any five population interaction with an example each
Answers
Population Interaction in the Ecosystem
The environment consists of both abiotic (physical) and biotic (biological) factors. Nutrients in the soil, carbon dioxide, water, temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind and osmotic balances are some of the physical aspects required for a living being.
Along with these abiotic factors of the ecosystem, the populations can be very much affected by their interactions.
Following are the main modes of interaction between populations.
Competition
As the name suggests, it is a relationship when two or more species compete for the same limited resources at the same time, which may be food, water, light, or any prey. All these things are crucial for any organism’s growth and survival.
Predation
This is a relationship where one species depends entirely on the other for its food and survival. The species which feeds on other species is called predator whereas the one that is fed upon is called the prey. This entire relationship is called Predation.
Predator is usually stronger than the prey, and hence it consumes preys during its entire life cycle. In some food chains and food webs, a predator can also fall prey as all living organisms develop a kind of defence mechanisms after a certain period of time.
The words ‘predator’ and ‘prey’ are not always limited to animals. They are implied on the relationship between animals and plants as well. For example – rabbit feeding on carrot, bear eating berry and grasshopper and leaf.
Camouflage
Camouflage literally means ‘to disguise’. It is the phenomena where an organism or a species develops structural adaptation that helps them to blend with their surroundings is known as camouflage. This helps them avoid getting detected by predators.
Symbiosis
It is a Greek term which means “living together.” In various relationships among two or more species or organisms, both the parties depend on each other for food and survival. It is a relationship where one organism lives on another with mutual stereotypic behaviour.
There are three types of Symbiosis:
Mutualism – where both species are benefitted.
Commensalism – where one species benefits without harming the other.
Parasitism – where one species benefits by harming the other.