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| Ecology: The
branch of biology that deals with the relationships of organisms to one
another and to their physical surroundings. |
Ecosystem: A biological
community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. |
A symbiotic relationship is any close relationship between
species. There are three kinds of symbiotic relationships:
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| Mutualism: Both species benefit. Example: A clown fish makes its home in an anemone and cleans the anemone, and the anemone protects it. 
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Commensalism:
One species benefits and the other is not affected Example: Shark suckers attach themselves to sharks. They feed on the leftovers of the sharks meal and do not hurt the shark. 
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Parasitism:
One species benefits and the other is harmed. A tapeworm lives in the intestines of humans and other vertebrates and take the host's nutrients from their food and the host dies if it is not removed. 
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A limiting factor is anything
in an ecosystem that limits the size of a population, which includes:
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| An adaptation is
any change a plant or animals has to help it survive in its environment.
Plants adapt by having thorns to protect themselves from predators, or growing
larger leaves to absorb more sun. Animals adapt by having thick fur to protect
from the cold, or large claws to catch prey. |
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| Below is a picture
of an ecosystem, there are abiotic and biotic parts to an ecosystem. Abiotic
means non living, including things like rocks, sand, air, and water. Biotic
means living, including all organisms like fish, birds, and plants. The diversity
of animals is important because the animals rely one one another for food
or protection and symbiotic relationships. |
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| Links |
| Animal Page
Foodweb Page
Amphibians in Maine |