Introduction
“Population interaction is the interaction between different populations. It refers to the effects that the organisms in a community have on one another.”
Ecology is a vast arena in Biology, which is a study of organisms, their distribution and interaction with each other and the environment. To study the relationship between prey, predators, other interactions and phenomenon like competition, camouflage, mimicry etc., it is mandatory to study the theory of population interaction.
Let’s discuss each of the modes of population interaction in detail.
Population Interaction in the Ecosystem
The environment consists of both abiotic (physical) and biotic (biological) factors. Nutrients in the soil, carbon dioxide, water, temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind and osmotic balances are some of the physical aspects required for a living being.
Along with these abiotic factors of the ecosystem, the population can be very much affected by their interactions.
Following are the main modes of interaction between populations.
Competition
As the name suggests, it is a relationship when two or more species compete for the same limited resources at the same time, which may be food, water, light, or any prey. All these things are crucial for any organism’s growth and survival.
Predation
This is a relationship where one species depends entirely on the other for its food and survival. The species which feeds on other species is called a predator whereas the one that is fed upon is called the prey. This entire relationship is called Predation.
Predator is usually stronger than the prey, and hence it consumes prey during its entire life cycle. In some food chains and food webs, a predator can also fall prey as all living organisms develop a kind of defence mechanism after a certain period of time.
The words ‘predator’ and ‘prey’ are not always limited to animals. They are implied in the relationship between animals and plants as well. For example – rabbit feeding on a carrot, bear eating berry and grasshopper eating a leaf.
Camouflage
Camouflage literally means ‘to disguise’. It is the phenomenon where an organism or a species develops structural adaptation that helps them to blend with their surroundings known as camouflage. This helps them avoid getting detected by predators.
Symbiosis
It is a Greek term which means “living together.” In various relationships among two or more species or organisms, both parties depend on each other for food and survival. It is a relationship where one organism lives on another with mutual stereotypic behaviour.
There are three types of Symbiosis:
- Mutualism – where both species are benefitted.
- Commensalism – where one species benefits without harming the other.
- Parasitism – where one species benefits by harming the other.
Mutualism
It is the ecological interaction between two or more species where each species is benefitted from the other. It is the most common type of ecological interaction and describes that mutual dependence is necessary for social well-being. It is dominant in most communities worldwide.
Commensalism
This is a type of ecological interaction where one organism is benefitted from the other organism without harming or benefitting it. For eg., cattle egrets and livestock, birds following army ants, barnacles and whales, etc. all exhibit commensalism.
Parasitism
Parasitism is a one-sided symbiosis, where one organism lives on or in another organism. The one that feeds on the other organism is called the parasite whereas the one that is fed upon is called the host. The parasite survives and multiplies using the host cell machinery and therefore, harms the host.
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