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BIOTIC INTERACTIONS
Introduction:
Biotic interactions are the relationships between organisms, and can occur between members
of the same species (intraspecific) or different species (interspecific). These interactions can
have a significant impact on global food security and are a key area of plant science. They can
also drive ecological and evolutionary patterns in plants, and form the basis of ecological
theories.
Some examples of biotic interactions include:
Predator-prey dynamics: For example, red foxes can harm endangered birds like the
Light-Footed Clapper Rail, which nests in cordgrass.
Animal competition
Plant-plant interactions
Plant-animal interactions
Plant-soil interactions
Host-parasite/pathogen interactions
Interaction Definition Examples Key Characteristics
Type
Short-Term Short-lived Predation: One organism Predation: Drives
interactions that have (predator) kills and eats prey to evolve
significant impacts on another (prey). defenses.
the evolution of the Pollination: Transfer of Pollination: Leads to
interacting species. pollen by pollinators like coevolution between
insects and birds. flowers and
Seed Dispersal: pollinators.
Movement of seeds away Seed Dispersal:
from the parent plant. Affects plant
population dynamics.
Long-Term Long-lasting Mutualism: Both species Mutualism: Often
(Symbiosis) interactions where benefit (e.g., bees involves close,
species are closely pollinating flowers). obligate associations.
associated, often Commensalism: One Commensalism:
coevolving over time. species benefits, the other Benefits without
is unaffected (e.g., harming the host.
remoras with manatees). Parasitism:
Parasitism: One species Adaptations for
benefits at the expense of exploiting the host.
another (e.g., parasites Neutralism:
feeding on hosts). Interactions with
Neutralism: Interaction negligible impact.
without significant Amensalism:
effects. Asymmetrical effects
Amensalism: One on species.
species is harmed, the Competition: Drives
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other is unaffected (e.g., natural selection and
cattle trampling grass). species adaptation.
Competition: Species
compete for resources,
impacting their fitness.
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Interaction Effect on Direct Indirect Interaction Examples
Type Fitness Interaction
Competition Both Physical Competing for Red Queen
organisms fighting resources or services Hypothesis,
reduce their (Interference (Exploitation Interference
fitness. competition). competition, competition.
Competitive
exclusion).
Antagonism One One organism One organism Predation,
organism harms or exploits Grazing,
increases consumes resources/services of Parasitism,
fitness, the another another (Allelopathy, Allelopathic
other (Predation, Resource antagonism.
decreases. Parasitism). exploitation).
Amensalism One Physical Inhibition via Accidental
organism's inhibition chemicals or waste crushing,
fitness without (Accidental Accidental
remains the benefit/harm antibiosis). allelopathy,
same, the to the other Accidental
other's (Accidental poisoning.
decreases. crushing).
Neutralism Both No benefit or Coexistence without Two species
organisms harm through affecting resources or living in the
coexist physical services. same
without interaction. environment
affecting without
each other's interaction.
fitness.
Commensalism One One organism Benefit from Facilitation,
organism's benefits resources/services Epibiosis,
fitness without without affecting the Scavenging,
remains the affecting the other (Tanatochresis, Coprophagy.
same, the other Scavenging).
other's (Facilitation,
increases. Epibiosis).
Mutualism Both Physical Cooperation for Obligate
organisms cooperation, resources/services symbiosis,
increase both benefit (Facultative Facultative
their fitness. (Obligate symbiosis, Niche symbiosis,
symbiosis). construction). Metabolic
syntrophy.
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