Biotic Interaction

BIOTIC INTERACTION

by Antonio C. Antonio

October 14, 2014

In the natural world all organisms can only exist in relation with other organisms.  Biotic interactions are the effects that organisms have in their own community or their community with other communities.  Communities are organized groups of organisms performing different roles but supportive of each other.  In the larger scheme of things, even when these roles and activities differ, organisms will always exist in relative support of other organisms.  This function is called symbiosis.  Opposed to symbiosis is neutralism; a situation where the interaction between two species have no effect on either of them.

An organism’s  interactions with its environment are essential to the survival of that organism, the other organisms around it and the ecosystem as a whole.  Biotic interactions could be direct or indirect.  Pollination is an example of indirect biotic interaction as there is an intermediary needed to facilitate the interaction between and among different types of flora. 

The most common forms of interaction are:

1. Amensalism – Amensalism is a type of interaction where one species adversely affect another species but the former is not affected at all.  Other forms of amensalism are antibiosis (where one species suppresses the growth of another species) and allelopathy (where toxins and allelophatic substances are released to prevent the regeneration of other species).
2. Commensalism – This type of interaction benefits one organism while others are not at all benefitted but are also not harmed.  Commensalism is common in a marine community.  An example of this interaction is a remora living with a shark who feeds on leftover food from its host.  This type of parasitism does not in any way affect the shark or its feeding habit.
3. Competition – Competition is an antagonistic interaction within a community.  Organisms within a community compete for energy, matter, water, space and other life-support systems in order to survive.  In this competitive situation some organisms survive while others die.  Synnercrosis is a unique case where interaction and competition is mutually detrimental that it results to the death of both dominant and weak organism.
4. Mutualism – Mutualism is the most ideal relationship and interaction between organisms. This type of interaction between two or more species in a community or communities is mutually beneficial.  Community-specific interaction is called co-operation.
5. Predation – Predation is the most harmful type of interaction among species and organisms.  A predator is an organism that consumes other organisms; often referred to as prey.  In this natural order, only the strong and intelligent survive.  Man, the most intelligent organism on earth, always finds himself on top of the food chain.

Moving up to man who is a more complex being… doesn’t he behave like simple organisms in relation to other men?  Would you agree that there seems to be nothing different in the way simple and complex beings behave in biotic interaction?

Just my little thoughts…

(Please visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders and Landscape Ecology UPOU on Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/)