Food web
Symbiotic RELATIONS
Competition: both organisms have the same needs/requirements such as food, space, territory etc. This may involve the same species which is called intra-specific competition or different species which is called inter-specific competition. In the Great Barrier Reef the sponges and corals compete for space.
Commensalism: a relationship among two organisms when one organism benefits and the other organism is unaffected. One example in the Great Barrier Reef is the commensalism between the pearlfish and the sea cucumber. The sea cucumber is used as a hide-out for the pearlfish from predators. The sea cucumber is unaffected by the pearlfish activity.
Mutualism: interaction between two organisms where both benefit from it. The sea anemone and clownfish are a great example of mutualism in the Great Barrier Reef. An ideal home for a clownfish is made by the sea anemone. Protection is provided by its poisonous tentacles from predators. The clownfish also makes meals from the anemone’s leftovers. The anemone catch its prey with the help of the clownfish. The clown fish lures other fish toward the anemone so that it can catch them. Clownfish also cleans the area and the anemone by eating any dead tentacles.
Commensalism: a relationship among two organisms when one organism benefits and the other organism is unaffected. One example in the Great Barrier Reef is the commensalism between the pearlfish and the sea cucumber. The sea cucumber is used as a hide-out for the pearlfish from predators. The sea cucumber is unaffected by the pearlfish activity.
Mutualism: interaction between two organisms where both benefit from it. The sea anemone and clownfish are a great example of mutualism in the Great Barrier Reef. An ideal home for a clownfish is made by the sea anemone. Protection is provided by its poisonous tentacles from predators. The clownfish also makes meals from the anemone’s leftovers. The anemone catch its prey with the help of the clownfish. The clown fish lures other fish toward the anemone so that it can catch them. Clownfish also cleans the area and the anemone by eating any dead tentacles.