Species Interdependence

Species Interdependence

1. Habitat Provision

   • One species may provide a habitat for others
     • Birds nesting in trees or small animals sheltering under log or in leaf litter

2. Pollination

   • Flowers pollinated by animals, more reliable than wind pollination. Animals deliberately seek out flowers for nectar, transferring pollen between flowers. Flowers evolve to attract particular insects, insects evolve to feed from particular plants

3. Seed Dispersal

   • Wind dispersal is haphazard seeds aren't carried far, seeds must be small which reduces the amount of food energy carried in the seed and its ability to produce a seedling plant
   • Animal dispersal is more reliable, bright colours and tastes attract animals when the seeds are ready. Seeds may be delivered in faeces which acts as a fertiliser, some seeds are stimulated to germinate by their passage through the gut

4. Food Supplies

   • Predators rely on prey for food and prey rely on predators as they remove the weak and sick

5. Define: A relationship in which individuals of one species or of different species living in a habitat depend on each other for different requirements

   • For example, herbivores depend on plants for food, but the plants may depend on the herbivores to carry the plants' seeds to a new habitat.