(Virtual Showroom): An ecosystem comprises of various organisms forming a biological community which interacts with each other in many ways. These interactions are crucial for each organism to survive within its ecosystem. Some organisms rely on themselves to obtain the resources necessarily needed to survive while other might take a different approach and rely on others. Ecological relationships or symbiotic relationships refer to the different interactions shared amongst organisms within an ecosystem. These relationships are usually classified into five categories namely, Competition, Predation, Parasitism, Mutualism and Commensalism.

Competition – This is a relationship formed between individuals or populations that compete for either same food source, territory or building material. Competition can be witnessed between organisms of different species such as lions competing with hyenas over food or between organisms of the same species such as leopards competing over territory.

Predation – This relationship refers to the interaction formed between organisms when one organism eats another organism to gain the necessary nutrients. The one organism that eats, is called the predator, while the organism that is eaten is called the prey. An example of predation is a crocodile eating an impala.

Parasitism – This is a relationship where one organism is benefitted, and the other organism is harmed but not necessarily killed. The organism that benefits from the interaction is called the parasite, while the organism that is harmed is called the host. When the host dies due to the interaction, it is referred to as Parasitoidism. An example of Parasitoidism is when spider hunting wasps paralyse a spider and then lay an egg in the immobile prey just to be eaten by the hatched larvae in a couple of days.  Parasites can be classified into endoparasites and ectoparasites. Endoparasites refer to the parasites that live inside the host such as intestinal worms. Ectoparasites refer to parasites that live outside the host such as ticks and leeches.

Mutualism – Mutualism refers to a relationship in which both species benefit. Mutualism can further be divided into three subcategories namely Facultative mutualism, Obligate mutualism, and Diffusive mutualism. Facultative mutualism is when only under certain circumstances, can one species survive on its own. Obligate mutualism is when one species cannot survive without the other. Diffusive mutualism is when on organism can survive without the other. Examples of mutualism is when bees pollinate flowers while gathering food for the hive and Oxpeckers removing ticks from a Giraffe.

Commensalism – This relationship refers to an interaction between organisms where one is benefitted and the other is neither harmed nor helped. An example of commensalism is tree frogs that use trees and plants as protection. The tree frog does not harm or help the tree or plant in which it is hiding, however the tree provides protection and a place to hide from predators.

Understanding these relationships within an ecosystem in turn helps to conserve the organisms within these ecosystems. By removing one organism out of its habitat can have devastating consequences on the ecosystem. Environmental Assurance (Pty) Ltd. (ENVASS) offers a wide range of Environmental Monitoring and Specialist services, including educational initiatives related to ecosystems and the conservations thereof. If you may require a proposal for these services please do not hesitate to contact our highly qualified and experienced specialists at ENVASS.