ECOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIP

COMPONENT TASKS TA ATA

(min (min)
)

TARGET After completing this lesson, you are expected to: 1

● explain the relationships and roles played by each component of

the ecosystem;

● analyze and explain the relationship among living organisms and

between living things and their environment; and

● relate the importance of ecological relationships in the survival

of an organism.

HOOK Since the release of the animated movie "Finding Nemo" clownfish 3
became famous. In the movie, it is observed that clownfish usually
dwell in a sea anemone. Do you know that sea anemones’ tentacles are
poisonous to other marine organisms except to clownfish? The
clownfish and the sea anemone can be seen living together if you take
a closer look at the photo (Figure 1). Yet why, then?

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 Figure 1. Interaction between clownfish and sea anemone

Image From: Fontenot, M. (2006). Clownfish [Photograph].

Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/tPkbU

The only creature that does not get harmed by the poison of sea
anemones even if it lives with it is the clownfish. Sea anemones are
aquatic species whose tentacles are capable of releasing poisonous
venom to kill fish. However, the clownfish are not afraid of sea anemone
venom, because it has a thick layer of mucus that protects their bodies.
Not only do clownfish and marine anemones live together but they may
also benefit from one another. Sea anemones will build a safe habitat that
prevents other fish from attacking the clownfish. Around the same time,
clownfish clean the anemones by consuming their waste and attracting
other fish so that they may be eaten for food by the anemones.

Like the clownfish and sea anemone relationship, all organisms have
existing relationships between other living things and their environment.
The relationship is known as interactions. In this lesson, the concepts of
ecological relationships along with biotic interactions will be learned.

Before you proceed to the next part of this lesson, try to reflect first on
the following questions below:

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 IGNITE Biological Interactions 11
Have you ever seen life without friends and family? Without them life
could be really lonely and dull, right? It's the connections you make with
your family and friends that make your daily tasks spring to life. In other
ways the species interact with each other. Relationships can benefit one
organism and harm the other, both harm or benefit both. This close
association between organisms is referred to as a symbiotic
relationship.

Types of Biological Interactions

Mutualism
Did you ever see anything like the one seen in the next image (Figure 2)?
Well, if you're living next to the sea, you might know this. It shows how
corals and algae interact. Do you have an idea on what relationship exists
between the organisms in this photo?

Figure 2. Mutualism: Relationship between corals and algae

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 Image From: National Institute for Basic Biology (2019).

Retrieved from https://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/pub/190816.php

Algae, which belongs to the Protista kingdom, are generally known as

seaweeds. Some algae species form coral polyps. As protists live inside
the polyps, the corals are given nourishment. This example of symbiotic
interaction is known as mutualism. Organisms in this form of
partnership both benefit from the formed association wherein a close
relationship remains with one another. Can you now consider the
relationship between the clownfish and sea anemone as mutualism?

Parasitism
The picture (Figure 3) below depicts an example of blood-sucking leech
on a man's foot. Have you ever seen one such before? Seeing leeches tied
to the skin of animals or humans is usually observed in provinces. Can
you tell the kind of relation that exists in the picture between the leech
and the man?

Figure 3. Parasitism: leeches attached to the skin of a man

Image From: Tranter, M. (2012). Blood sucker [Photograph].

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 Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/bohZhF

The form of relation that is depicted in the given example is called

parasitism. In this ecological interaction, the parasite gains while the
host gets harmed. A parasite is an organism that is food dependent upon
the host. Which one in the picture is the parasite? Why would you think
so? If leech is your answer then you're right! Leeches are parasites for
food which rely on the blood of the host. The man is the host in this
situation, and is harmed. The harm inflicted on the host may be serious or
just mild. Parasites usually do not kill their hosts, as a dead host is no
longer useful for the parasite. Humans host many parasites that cause
schistosomiasis, such as the flatworms.

Commensalism
What do you notice in the next picture (Figure 4)? Have you been to a
place with plants of this type? The plant in the photo is known locally as
the bird's nest. It is a fern commonly growing in dense forests on the
trunks of trees. You can note that there are many big trees which host
smaller plants including ferns and mosses.

Figure 4. Commensalism: bird’s nest fern and tree

Image From: Jnzl's Photos (2014). Thriving bird's nest ferns, Bukit Brown
[Photograph]. Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/pcNLM4

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 The picture shows a commensalism type of interaction between the ferns
and the tree. In this ecological relationship, one organism benefits from
another without harming the other organism. The tree gives the ferns the
shelter, but nothing is gained or lost. One individual benefits from the
other in this form of connection, without harming it.

Other Biotic Relationships

Herbivory
Are you familiar with this plant-eating animal in the picture (Figure 5)?
Tamaraw are herbivores found at Mindoro. They feed on grasses, young
shoots on bamboo, and wild sugar cane.

Figure 5. Herbivory: tamaraw eating plants

Image From: Experience Philippines (2010). Tamaraw Philippines

[Photograph]. Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/8CR6yq

More precisely, herbivory is when animals consume plants or species

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 similar to plants. An herbivore is a type of animal that consumes plants
or organisms of a plant nature. Technically, when a primary consumer
feeds upon a plant, herbivory is observed.

Predation
If you see a scenario similar to this picture (Figure 6), what do you think
will most likely happen next? Can you tell what type of ecological
relationship exists in this?

Figure 6. Predation: shark feeding on fishes

Image From: Heller, J.. (2009). Feeding sharks [Photograph].

Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/6Hgrpr

The picture depicts a school of small fish run after by sharks to prey on
them. The shark is the predator in this kind of partnership, much bigger
and strong while the prey are the tiny fishes. The predator attacks them
directly. This relationship is called carnivory, or predation. Consumers
feed upon another consumer in predation. Do you know about other
species that have this kind of relationship?

Competition

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 The next picture (Figure 7) might be familiar to you. That would be
growing in an area of your school or in your house garden, too. Usually,
many plants you see live together in the same place. Do you think they
also compete for the available resources?

Figure 7. Competition: plants compete for resources

Image From: Cabotcat (2009). Trophic interaction [Photograph].

Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/6AjgKk

The relationship is called competition when the species strive for the
same resources. One good example for this is when plants compete for
the nutrients in the soil. This competition results in resource depletion.
For many biotic ecosystem members, this form of ecological relationship
is common. It may also occur between different species (interspecific), or
within the same species (intraspecific). Can you cite other organisms that
are competing for resources?

Amensalism
Try to observe the next picture (Figure 8).
What do you think is the interaction that
exists between these organisms?

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 Figure 8. Amensalism: Penicillium colony and bacteria

Image From: Pearson Education (2004). Retrieved from

https://www.quora.com/What-is-an-example-of-Amensalism

The interaction between fungi in a bacterial culture is an example of

amensalism. The two can spend some time living together but no
bacteria can eventually survive if the fungi will produce toxic substances.
The development and release of chemical substances by one species that
inhibit the growth of another is known as allelopathy.

Neutralism
Can you tell the ecological relationship between worms and cats? You
can most certainly assume that the presence of these two doesn't directly
affect the population of either species. This ecological relationship is
known as neutralism. This is an interaction between two distinct
organisms. Neither community directly influences the other. The
relationships that arise are small and indirect. The picture (Figure 9)
below shows the neutralism between Bactrian camel and tadpole shrimp.
They both live in the Gobi Desert but their population does not influence
each other.

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 Figure 9. Bactrian Camel and Longtailed Tadpole Shrimp of Gobi Desert

Image From: Kusumo, A. (2019). Retrieved from

https://slideplayer.com/slide/15055232/

The Importance of Ecological Relationships

Biological activity is important because it provides natural resources for
the environment. The photosynthesis process of plants, for instance,
releases oxygen inhaled by both animals and humans. Another example
of this is when plants use animal waste as fertilizers.

Another reason for the significance of biological activity is that it

regulates the population of living organisms. For example a lion is a
predator and a zebra is his prey. Lions track down zebras for feeding.
Unless that biological activity did not occur otherwise the population of
the zebras would be overwhelmed.

Biological relationships allow the living organisms to defend one

another. Mutualism which is an interaction between two different species
of living organisms that benefits both parties can demonstrate this. A
fungus and alga live together to form a lichen, the fungus and alga
together can survive in harsh environments where no single organism can
exist.

Within an ecosystem, all organisms have their own function which

benefits other organisms within the same ecosystem. All types of
biological interactions play a crucial role in keeping the environment
stable. For example, the plants as producers have the function of
producing their own food using raw materials. On the other hand, plants
often serve the herbivores primarily as food. The herbivores often act as
one of the carnivores' food sources. Therefore, species can cease to exist
if there is no interaction in an ecosystem.

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 NAVIGATE Formative Task: Biotic Relationship Table 15
Analyze each picture and complete the table below by identifying which
organisms shown in the pictures exhibit the type of biotic relationship.

Image From: Windsor, Y. (2018). Bee [Photograph].

Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/27h5pMN

Image From: Heine, B. (2009). Little cute mosquito [Photograph].

Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/6JDqRX

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 Image From: Balks, T. (2009). Whaleshark with friends [Photograph].

Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/KTaizK

Image From: Delaere, O. (2014). Trouble at Olkiombo lions versus hyenas

[Photograph]. Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/pVzMGe

Image From: Chmiel, P. (2011). Great Illustration of Walnut… [Photograph].

Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/9vLW5J

Image From: Tobes (2010). Tarantula [Photograph].

Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/8ud3Qa

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 Image From: Weldhagen, F. (2012). Cheetah with thompsons gazelle
[Photograph]. Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/bFJGwn

Image From: Liu, A. (2013). Hungry panda [Photograph].

Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/e5HyoL

Briefly explain what

Type of happens to the
Relationship Organism Organis organisms involved. Are
A mB they harmed or do they
benefit from this type of
interaction?

Parasitism Parasite: Host: The mosquito benefits

while the human suffers

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 mosquito Human and gets harmed.

Predation Predator: Prey: The cheetah attacks and

eats the gazelle which is
the prey.
Cheetah Gazelle

Herbivory The panda eats the

bamboo shoots since it is
Panda Bamboo
a herbivore.
shoots

Commensalis The remora fish eats

m scraps of prey dropped by
Whale Remora
the whale and also eats
fish
the bacteria on its skin
and mouth which doesn’t
really benefits or harms
the whale.

Mutualism The bees get pollen in

their bodies and gets
Bee Flowering
distributed to other
plant
flowers which allows
them to reproduce so they
both benefit.

Competition They compete because

they both consume the
Lion Hyena
same prey. Lions and
hyenas also compete for
territory and other needs.

Amensalism Walnuts secrete juglone,

a substance that destroys
Walnut Nearby
many herbaceous plants
plants
within its root zone,
leaving the walnut
unharmed while the
nearby plants get killed.

Neutralism The tarantula and cactus

neither get harmed or
Cactus tarantula
benefit, but I believe that
the tarantula gets minor
benefit as it gets some

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 shade from the cactus.

KNOT Summative Task: My Eco-Relationships Collage! 30

Look around your house or within the premises of your residence.
Collect pictures of the different types of ecological relationships found in
your home by taking photos of these organisms and their interactions.
Ensure the type of ecological relationship that occurs between them or
with the environment is identified. Using these photos, create a
compilation of it in a form of collage. A collage is any artistic
composition/representation. Make sure to include at least three (3) to five
(5) examples of these interactions. Refer to the provided rubric guide as
your reference for assessment.

Summary

● Organisms can create close relationships among themselves. These

connections may be between individuals of the same species or
separate species.

● Environmental interactions include predation, commensalism,

parasitism, herbivory, competitiveness, mutualism, amensalism and
neutralism.

● Parasitism is a relationship between two species whereby residing

from the harmed host benefits the parasite.

● The interaction between two species, where a commensal advantage

occurs while the host does not lose or benefit is called
commensalism.

● Mutualism is an association that is mutually beneficial to both

participants. This is one of the common associations between
organisms.

● Herbivorous is when animals consume plants or plant-like organisms

and herbivorous is a form of animal consuming plants or plant-like
organisms.

● There's rivalry between organisms trying to use the same resources.

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 One species can move or adapt when there is too much competition
so that it uses slightly different resources.

● The relation between two species is considered as amensalism when

one organism suppresses the growth and development of another
organism.

● Neutralism is the interaction between two distinct species. Neither

community directly influences the other. The mere presence of the
two species does not directly impact the population level of either
species.

References:
Desonie, Dana. (2019). Roles in an ecosystem. CK-12 Foundation. Retrieved from
https://www.ck12.org/earth-science/roles-in-an-ecosystem/lesson/Roles-in-an-Ecosystem-HS-
ES/

PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM Integrated Science 1 Page 16 of 19

Hailun, Wan. (2019). Why are "Nemo" and sea anemones good friends?. CGTN. Retrieved from
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2019-10-29/Why-are-Nemo-and-sea-anemones-good-friends--
LbwovtuPlu/index.html

Herbivory: Definition & Examples. (2016). Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/herbivory-

definition-examples.html.

Lassiter, Heather Alden. (2016). Exploring relationships in an ecosystem. CPALMS. Florida State
University. Retrieved from
https://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewResourceLesson/Preview/154779

Nelson, Rob. (2013). Predation and herbivory. Untamed Science. Retrieved from
https://untamedscience.com/biology/ecology/predation-and-herbivory/

Project EASE Biology. (n.d.). Module 19: Ecosystem. Effective Alternative Secondary Education.
Department of Education.

Project EASE Integrated Science 1. (n.d.). Module 10: Can we live alone?. Effective Alternative
Secondary Education. Department of Education.

Summative Task: My Eco-Relationships Collage!

Rubric Guide (My Eco-Relationships Collage!)

Criteria Poor (2 pts) Fair (3 pts) Good (4 pts) Excellent (5 pts)

Organization The pictures & words The pictures & words The pictures & The pictures were
were not organized / were generally words were well extremely well
balanced. The output organized / balanced. organized and organized / balanced
did not include an The output may have included at least 2 and included at least 3-
example of ecological not included enough examples of 5 examples of
relationships as examples of ecological ecological ecological
shown in the pictures, relationships as shown relationships as relationships as shown
words, art required in the pictures, words, shown in the in the pictures, words,
for this task. drawings required for pictures, words, drawings required for
this task. drawings required this task.
for this task.

Content The picture collage The picture collage The picture collage The picture collage
Knowledge demonstrated by the demonstrated the clearly showed the fully demonstrated

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 students showed little student's comprehension student's student's understanding
comprehension of the of the idea of ecological interpretation of of the concept of
idea of ecological relationships in general, ecological ecological
relationships. but a few details were relationships relationships.
missing.

Format The output did not The output followed the The output followed The output followed
follow the format format given by the the format given by the format given by the
given by the teacher teacher for this task; the teacher for this teacher for this task
for this task. however, there were still task and included all and included all
a few things missing. required required information.
There was some writing information. There The output may have
or drawings. were no student’s also included
own writing or something extra.
drawings.

Creativity There is not much There was some attempt The output showed The output showed
effort to make the to render the collage innovative ways to innovative ways to
collage colorful, interesting. construct a collage. construct a collage.
special, or eye- Different materials Different materials
catching. were used, and were used, and colors
colors spread. spread. It was very
neat and attractive.

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