Symbiosis

Finished chapter one of the first Ecology book: 'Interactions'. All about symbiosis - what a lovely word that is :O) So, what we're looking at here in block one is the different kinds of interaction between species at an individual level. Symbiosis implies some degree of interdependence, but even this can be on a number of levels. In pure symbiotic relationships, neither partner can survive without the other. Like lichen (these are in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh) - a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga - the alga provides carbohydrates through photosynthesis, and the fungus provides protection, and maybe some nutrients too. Although even in this kind of relationship, the algae have been known to live independently, but the fungi can't...

Then there's parasites - this isn't a win-win situation generally - one member of the partnership loses out - either through disease (in the case of pathogens) or losing nutrients (like mistletoe). Then there's the more mutualistic relationships, where there's not necessarily a reliance on the other partner for nourishment, but for other things. Like fish that live in amongst sea anemones for protection - or plants that rely on insects for pollinaton...

All very interesting - onto competition, predation and herbivory in Chapter 2...