Relationships in an Ecosystem
Science: KS3, topic 1.3.6
Relationships Between Organisms
Within a habitat, all living things interact with one another, whether it be a predator/prey relationship or one organism using another for shelter.
Organisms in the same habitat
- Organisms are dependent on one another for a wide range of reasons:
- They provide a food source (any organism that is consumed).
- They help with pollination (insects such as bees).
- They help provide shelter (some species of tree).
Pollination
- Humans depend on pollination more than others considering how we farm crops for large-scale agriculture and consumption.
Negative impacts
- Some organisms can affect their environment and often impact other species negatively.
- An example is:
- When a species over hunts a particular population causing them to die out - this can have implications for other organisms.
Human impacts
- If pollutants from humans make it into the environment, this can cause an accumulation of toxins in certain apex predators.
- This can kill the predators.
- Large-scale destruction of habitats (e.g. cutting down a rainforest) can have a huge effect on the organisms who live in that environment.
Test yourself on Relationships in an Ecosystem
What can happen when pollutants from humans build up in apex predators?
How do humans have negative impacts on the environment? See how much you can remember, then click to see the answer.
Select the true statement in each pair
In what ways are organisms dependent on each other?
Rainforest trees give many animals shelter. Why does cutting down the rainforest harm those animals?