In this section you are going to:
- observe trophic interactions between two plant and animal species
- look for examples of allelopathy, parasitism, commensalism and mutualism
- identify producers, consumers and decomposers and create food chains and food webs
- look at predator/prey relationships
- analyse the human impact in the area
Examples of parasitism, mutualism and commensalism and allelopathy
Organisms can interact with one another by their feeding relationship. As well as this there are some special relationships that occur.
Mutualism
Mutualism refers to the relationship of two organisms where both benefit from the association. The example below is a lichen growing on the trunk of a mangrove tree. The lichen consists of a fungus and an algae growing together. The fungus gets food from the photosynthesising algae and the algae gets a place to live.
Mutualism: Lichen on Mangrove
Parasitism
The association in the parasite host relationship is one in which one organism benefits from the relationship and the other is disadvantaged. In this example a Mistletoe is growing on a mangrove. The Mistletoe penetrates the bark of the mangrove and then takes some of its food from the mangrove. The mangrove is disadvantaged by this.
From Mangrove Agfact 1985 R West
Parasitism Mistletoe on MangroveCommensalism
Commensalism is a lose relationship where one species has an advantage and the other is not harmed. In this example an oyster has attached itself to a mangrove pneumatophore. The oyster has a solid base to live and the mangrove is not disadvantaged.
Allelopathy
Some plants produce secondary metabolites that can prevent the growth of other plants in the same area. An example of this is Casuarina and Allocasuarina trees.
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