B.13A-Interdependence_approaching – 02

Amira noticed a bee covered with pollen in her garden. She knows that the bee is helping the flowers, but she wonders if other living things have close relationships.

A honeybee collects nectar from a flower. Pollen grains attach to the bee’s back. The honeybee moves from flower to flower. Pollen grains fall off the honeybee onto other flowers. This relationship helps to keep the ecosystem stable. There are many relationships between species in a community. The communities can be affected in positive and negative ways.

Both species benefit in the flower and honeybee example. The honeybee collects nectar to feed the bee colony. The pollen can fertilize the eggs in the flowers. This allows the flowers to continue reproducing. This long-term relationship is called mutualism. Both species benefit in mutualism. The ecosystem also benefits. It continues in a steady state. This helps the community remain stable.

A bird builds a nest high in a tree. The nest is hidden by branches and leaves. The location protects the eggs and young. The bird uses twigs from the tree to build the nest. Seeds from the tree can feed the young. The birds benefit greatly from this relationship. The small nest does no harm to the tree. The tree does not benefit. This relationship is called commensalism. One species benefits while the other is not affected.