Planet Earth is inhabited by millions of species—at least! Because different species often inhabit the same spaces and share—or compete for—the same resources, they interact in a variety of ways, known collectively as symbiosis. There are four main symbiotic relationships: mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, and competition. Show To explore these relationships, let’s consider a natural ecosystem such as the ocean. Oceanic environments are known for their species diversity. Imagine you are on a diving expedition to explore the worlds beneath the waves. If we were in the warm waters of the Pacific or Indian Oceans, we’d likely spot an excellent example of mutualism: the relationship between clownfish and sea anemones. In a mutualistic relationship, both species benefit. Sea anemones live attached to the surface of coral reefs. They trap their prey with stinging cells called nematocysts, which are located on their tentacles. Nematocysts release toxins when a small animal contacts an anemone’s tentacle. This paralyzes the stung animal, allowing the anemone to easily bring the animal into its mouth for ingestion. While other fish succumb to these toxic stings, clownfish secrete a substance in the mucus covering their bodies that suppresses the firing of nematocysts. This allows the clownfish to swim comfortably between the tentacles of anemones, creating a protected environment in which potential predators are killed off by anemone stings. This clearly benefits the clownfish, but how about the sea anemones? The brightly colored clownfish attract other fish looking for a meal. These unsuspecting would-be predators are then caught and eaten by the anemones. As we continue in our imaginary deep-sea voyage, we may observe the commensalistic relationship that exists between barnacles and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Commensalism happens when one species lives with, on, or in another species, known as the host. The host species neither benefits nor is harmed from the relationship. In our imagined example, various species of barnacles attach themselves to the skin of whales. Scientists have not discovered the exact mechanism by which barnacles are able to do this, but it does not appear to bother the whales. How do the barnacles benefit from this unlikely relationship? The huge whales transport the tiny barnacles to plankton-rich waters, where both species feast upon the abundant microorganisms that live there. Of course, some symbiotic relationships do cause harm. In parasitism, one species (the parasite) lives with, on, or in a host species, at the expense of the host species. Unlike in predation, the host is not immediately killed by the parasite, though it may sicken and die over time. Examples of common parasites found in the ocean include nematodes, leeches, and barnacles. That’s right—though barnacles exist commensally with whales, they are parasites for swimming crabs. A barnacle may root itself within a crab’s reproductive system. While the crab does not die from this interaction, its reproductive capabilities are greatly diminished. The last example of symbiosis we will explore on our imaginary dive is competition—the struggle among organisms for the same limited resources in an ecosystem. Competition can happen between members of the same species (intraspecific competition) and between different species (interspecific competition). An example of interspecific competition in the ocean is the relationship between corals and sponges. Sponges are very abundant in coral reefs. If they become too successful, however, they take needed food and other resources from the corals that make up the reef. Sponges may outcompete corals for resources in the short term, but if too many corals die, the reef itself becomes damaged. This is bad for the sponges, which may themselves begin to die off until the reef is balanced again. Symbiotic relationships can be useful measures of an ecosystem’s health. For example, large tracts of coral reefs are severely damaged or dead because of recent increases in ocean temperature due to climate change. The temperature increase induces coral to expel the algae that live mutualistically within them. Without their algae, the coral turn white and die. This loss of symbiosis is an early sign of declining coral health and speaks to the importance not only of studying symbiosis within marine environments, but also of examining the negative impacts that humans can have on these interactions. In the words of National Geographic Explorer Sylvia Earle: “We need to respect the oceans and take care of them as if our lives depend on it. Because they do.” 1. Introduce vocabulary terms related to ecological interactions and symbiosis. Explain that in this activity students will use a series of videos, images, and scenarios to identify and discuss examples of ecological and symbiotic relationships in the ocean. Write the following terms on the board: competition, predation, symbiosis, mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. Do not include the definitions yet. First, ask students to identify the root words and brainstorm what types of ecological and symbiotic relationships the terms describe. Then, review the definitions of the terms. Point out that the term symbiosis is an overarching term for mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism and that the ecological relationships predation and competition are not generally considered to be symbiotic.
2. Build background about National Geographic Crittercam. 3. Have students use a Crittercam video to identify ecological
relationships. 4. Have students view videos to identify symbiotic relationships.
Ask: What type of symbiotic relationship was not shown in the videos? (commensalism) 5. Use a National Geographic image to explore commensalism and
discuss the origins of Crittercam. 6. Have students read statements and identify types of ecological interactions. Informal AssessmentUse the provided answer key to check students' completed worksheet for accuracy. Ask students to orally explain why they labeled each mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism. Extending the LearningHave students identify one new marine-related example for each of the ecological relationships discussed in this activity: predation, competition, mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. Discuss the examples as a class. Subjects & Disciplines
Learning ObjectivesStudents will:
Teaching Approach
Teaching Methods
Skills SummaryThis activity targets the following skills:
Connections to National Standards, Principles, and PracticesNational Geography Standards
National Science Education Standards
Ocean Literacy Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts
What You’ll Need
Materials You Provide
Required Technology
Physical Space
Grouping
Other NotesBefore starting the activity, download and queue up all of the videos. Background InformationSymbiosis is an ecological relationship between two species that live in close proximity to each other. Organisms in symbiotic relationships have evolved to exploit a unique niche that another organism provides. These relationships are based on the advantages that can be gained by finding and using a previously unexploited niche. Competition and predation are ecological relationships but are not symbiotic. Predation does not occur over a long period of time, and competition is an indirect interaction over resources. Vocabularycommensalism Noun relationship between organisms where one organism benefits from the association while not harming the other. mutualism Noun relationship between organisms of different species, in which both organisms benefit from the association. parasitism Noun relationship between organisms where one organism (a parasite) lives or feeds on the other, usually causing harm. predator Noun animal that hunts other animals for food. prey Noun animal that is hunted and eaten by other animals. symbiosis Noun two or more distinct organisms living together for the benefit of one or both. Websites
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What is it called when organisms interact with each other and their environment?
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