Ecological relationships occur between two species that live close to each other. Two examples of ecological relationships are described.

Question

Example 1: Bees gather nectar and pollen from flowering plants, providing food for the bees. As the bees move to different flowers, some of the pollen attached to the bees' bodies is spread and released. If the pollen falls on the flower of a plant of the same species, it may fertilize the plant and produce seeds.


Example 2: Orchids are flowering plants that grow on other plants. They typically grow in tall trees high in the canopy, where they can reach sunlight for photosynthesis. They get water and nutrients from rainwater runoff that carries organic material down the host plant's branches. No water or nutrients are taken from the host plant.


What is the main difference between the ecological relationships described in the two examples? Include the scientific term used to define each of the relationships.

Think about the question carefully. Then enter your answer in the box provided.

Answer 1

The main difference between the ecological relationships described in the two examples is the nature of the interaction between the species involved.

In Example 1, the relationship between bees and flowering plants is mutualistic. This means that both species benefit: bees receive food (nectar and pollen) while the plants benefit from pollination, which helps them reproduce by fertilizing their flowers and producing seeds.

In Example 2, the relationship between orchids and their host plants is classified as epiphytic. In this scenario, the orchids grow on the host plants for support and access to sunlight, but they do not extract water or nutrients from them, meaning the host plant is neither helped nor harmed by the presence of the orchids.

To summarize:

• Example 1: Mutualism (both species benefit)
• Example 2: Epiphytism (one species benefits while the other is unaffected)