Plants and animals interact within ecosystems in a variety of ways. Some of the key ways include:
1. Mutualism: Some plants and animals have symbiotic relationships where both species benefit. For example, bees pollinate flowers while the flowers provide nectar for the bees.
2. Predation: Animals often eat plants for food, which helps regulate plant populations. In turn, plant-eating animals are often preyed upon by predators, helping to control their populations as well.
3. Herbivory: Many animals eat plants for food, which can help shape plant communities and influence their growth and reproduction.
4. Competition: Plants and animals may compete for resources such as food, water, and habitat within an ecosystem. This competition can help drive evolution and shape the structure of the ecosystem.
5. Decomposition: When plants and animals die, their remains are broken down by decomposers such as fungi and bacteria. This decomposition process releases nutrients back into the ecosystem, which can then be used by other plants and animals.
In what ways do plants and animals interact within ecosystems?ANSWER *
1 answer