Several different populations of animals can live in a
single ecosystem. All the animals depend on each other, and if one species
of animals dies out, it will effect the rest of the ecosystem. For example,
if only deer lived in a forest, they would have plenty to eat and keep
multiplying until they were overpopulated. Then their food would eventually
run out. However if some wolves or coyotes moved in, then they would eat
the deer, keeping them from overpopulating and running out of food.
If the deer suddenly died out though, the wolf population would go down
because there wouldn't be enough food. So all the animals from the smallest
herbivore to the largest carnivore are very important in an ecosystem.
Adaptations are the features animals have
to help them in their ecosystem. A polar bear for example has very thick
fur to keep him warm during the winter. A tiger has striped fur to help
him blend in with the forest. Some animals, such as the Great Horned Owl,
have very good eyes so they can hunt at night. There are many different
types of adaptations, and many species of animals have them.
A symbiotic relationship is a relationship
that two different animals have together. There are three different types
of relationships. Mutalism is a relationship in which both animals benefit,
such as as a sea anemone and a clown fish. The sea anemone provides a safe
home for the clown fish, and the clown fish helps clean the sea anemone.
Another type of symbiotic relationship is Commensalism. Commensalism is
when one animal benefits and the other is not effected. The last type of
relationship is Parasitism. Parasitism is when one animal is benefited,
and the other harmed. For example if a dog gets a tick, the tick is benefiting
by sucking the dog's blood, but the dog is being harmed by getting disease
from the tick.
A Limiting Factor is something that keeps
a population from increasing. Competition is one. Competition is the rivalry
between two animals, competing for the best shelter, food, and other resources.
Another is disease. If some of the animals get disease, and it passes on,
many of that species will die. Another possible factor are hunters and
other predators. They keep the populations down also.
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