Symbiosis, Mutualism, Parasatism, and More

Grade Level: 6-12

Introduction: All organisms participate in relationships with organisms of different species in ecosystems. Some relationships benefit the organisms and are essential for both species to survive. Others are detrimental to one organism, but critical for the other organism and still essential to the interdependence of species within the ecosystem. Through examination of different organisms with the tropical montane cloud forest ecosystem, students will learn about the different forms of symbiosis.

Objectives: Students will be able to 1) differentiate between the three types of symbiotic relationships present within ecosystems 2) identify examples of symbiosis within the cloud forest 3) explain the importance of symbioses to the cloud forest ecosystem.

National Science Standards: Interdependence of Organisms, Populations and Ecosystems

Time: 50 minutes (5 min for opening, 25 minutes for exploring media and completing Relationship chart, 10 minutes for index cards and discussion, 10 minutes for closing)

Related Plans:

1. Life History of a Strange Tree: The Strangler Fig
2. What's a Niche?
3. Symbiosis, Mutualism, Parasitism and More
4. Cloud Forest Adaptations
5. Plant Defense
6. Animal Diversity
7. Living History Project