Population Interaction

Introduction

Population interaction is a phenomenon where different populations of organisms and creatures interact with one another to establish a stabilised transfer of energy and food sources. Some of the population interaction examples are mutualism, commensalism and more. 

There are numerous population interactions based on how different populations are from each other. Such interactions differ with different populations.

Types of Opulation Interactions 

Some of the types of population interaction along with population interaction examples are given below:

Mutualism

Mutualism is the involvement of two different populations in which both populations are dependent on each other. They interact in such a manner that they both become beneficial for each other. An example of mutualism would be lichens. Lichens are special organisms that are made up of the interaction of fungi and algae. In the interactive, the fungi provide a great anchorage, and on the other hand, algae are the ones that can utilise the sunlight and chlorophyll in order to produce food for both of them. 

Example of Mutualism

The best example of mutualism is the relationship between cows and birds. There are numerous birds that often revolve around the cows and even stay on them. Cows are benefited from the birds due to the fact that these birds keep the cow free of any type of insects and other pests. On the other hand, the birds get profit from the cow as it provides a feeding ground for the birds. One must understand that in relation such as mutualism, none of the two creatures is affected in a negative way. 

Competition

Competition occurs when two relatively similar species compete with each other. If the species are not similar, then the interaction would be called competition. Even the resource which they are fighting for should be limited in the ideal case, but the competition still takes place even if there is an unlimited source of food.  As a result of this interaction, one of the species wins over the other. 

Example of Competition

For example, on Mumbai’s west coast, flamingos and local fish fight for the same food, the zooplankton, which is found in shallow creeks. However, competition may take place even when resources are plentiful. Leopards do not hunt in close vicinity to lion pringles, despite the abundance of resources (food and space) available to them. This is due to the interruption or restrictive presence of the other species.

Predation

Predation is one of the most important population interactions out there. In this type of interaction, a dominating species, also known as the predator, dominates over a small or weak species for food and other resources. Predators are always prudent. This interaction is very special as a predator never over exploits its prey as there would be nothing for the predator to eat.

Predators are basically the organisms that hunt. When we talk of predation, this interaction is limited to a few organisms. On the other hand, this interaction is basically one of the most important reactions in the food chain. If Predators stop predating, then the prey organism will become dominant out of control. This will destroy or in balance the ecosystem. 

Carnivorous interactions are the most common types of predation, in which one species eats another. Consider how wolves hunt moose, owls hunt mice, and shrews hunt worms and other invertebrates in their natural habitat. Carnivorous relationships that are less visible entail a huge animal being eaten by a group of smaller ones. Social carnivores like lions, hyenas, and wolves often engage in this kind of group predation. Ants and social spiders are two further examples of animals that are preyed upon in groups. Predation may occur when a person eats seeds. Ideally, seeds germinate and develop into plants. Predation occurs when a plant’s seed is eaten before it has a chance to germinate, making seed-eating an example of this.

Example of Predation

A few of the common examples of predation are; Crows preying on other birds’ nests in order to consume their eggs, OWLING: Owls hunting, killing, and eating mice and rats, to catch airborne insects, frogs and toads stretch their long tongues, etc.

Parasitism

This type of interaction is only seen when a parasite is an organism that uses a parasitic mode of infection in contact with the host body. It is host-specific, and the parasites are clearly dependent on their host for the development and other important metabolic processes.

Example of Parasitism

Dogs and cats are hosts for fleas and ticks. They are relying on the host animal’s blood to sustain themselves. Lice are parasites of a different kind. They rely on the host animal’s blood to sustain themselves. Cockatoos deposit their eggs in other birds’ nests to expect the other bird to take care of the young. It is common for cockatoos to remove one or more eggs from their nests in order to avert suspicion. Aphids are sap-feeding parasitic insects that parasitise host plants. A wide variety of parasitic fungus infects a wide range of different sorts of plants and animals, including grains, fruits, vegetables, and even flowers.

Conclusion

Above in the article, we have mentioned some of the most famous population interactions one can see in nature. These population interactions are very necessary so as to maintain the normal working of the ecosystem.