How do symbiotic relationships impact ecosystems?

What are symbiotic relationships and how do they affect ecosystems?

Symbiotic relationships are interactions between different species that live closely together. They can be mutualistic, commensal, or parasitic, and they significantly impact ecosystem dynamics.

Can you give examples of each type of symbiotic relationship?

Sure! In mutualism, bees pollinate flowers while getting nectar. In commensalism, barnacles attach to whales, benefiting without harming them. In parasitism, ticks feed on the blood of mammals, harming their hosts.

How do these relationships contribute to biodiversity?

These relationships enhance biodiversity by promoting species interactions, which can lead to greater resilience and stability in ecosystems.

What happens if one species in a symbiotic relationship goes extinct?

If one species goes extinct, it can disrupt the entire relationship, potentially leading to declines in populations of the other species and affecting the broader ecosystem.