Different Types of Relationships in Ecosystems
How Competition and predation are two different types of relationships?
Competition and predation are two different types of relationships that can exist between different organisms in an ecosystem. Which of the following statements about these relationships is accurate?
A. These are examples of competition because the organisms are fighting for resources.
B. These are examples of predation because the organisms are trying to take each other’s food and homes.
C. These are examples of predation because lions and cheetahs eat woodpeckers and squirrels.
D. These are examples of competition because no organisms are helped or harmed.
Answer:
A. These are examples of competition because the organisms are fighting for resources.
Competition and predation are two different types of relationships that can exist in ecosystems. In the case of competition, two or more organisms are vying for the same resources, such as food, water, or shelter. This can occur within a species or between different species. For example, woodpeckers and squirrels fighting for nesting rights in trees and lions and cheetahs competing for the same prey are instances of competition.
On the other hand, predation involves one organism hunting, killing, and consuming another organism. This predator-prey relationship is common between carnivores and herbivores. For instance, lions and cheetahs preying on antelope and gazelle illustrate predation in action.
In both competition and predation, one organism may benefit at the expense of another. The predator benefits from obtaining food in predation, while the prey suffers harm. In competition, one organism gains access to resources while another loses out, impacting their survival and reproduction abilities.