science 6

1. Interactions Among Living
Things in Coral Reefs

2. Coral reef – a complex underwater
ecosystem that is mainly composed of
corals, sponges, and algae.

3. Mutualism
The clown fish shelters in
the venomous tentacles of sea
anemone, protecting itself from
hungry predators. The clown fish
produces a substance that
protects its body from the sting of
the sea anemone.
The clown fish, in return protects
the sea anemone by chasing off
other creatures that may danger
it.

4. Commensalism
The sea horse resides in seagrass beds that usually
grow on the leeward (sheltered) side of coral reefs.

5. Parasitism
Sponges inhabit the holes of the reef and removes
small chips of skeleton from corals that causes the
corals to break and damage.

6. Competition
Sessile organisms are organisms that stay in
one place. Coral reefs and sponges, compete
for space.

7. Predation
Crown-of-thorns starfish feeding on coral
polyps.

9. Interactions among Living Things
in Mangrove Swamps
Mangroves are trees
that grow in estuaries
and along coasts and
have stilt-like
intertwining
aerial roots.

10. Mutualism
The mangrove tree serves as a habitat for ants, while
ants provide food for the mangrove tree.

11. Parasitism
Epiphytes are plants that grow
on other plants. They grow on
the branches or stems on
mangroves and get their
nutrients.

12. Competition
Variety of plants in a mangrove swamp compete for nutrients
and space. Microbes also compete for resources. Animals
surrounding it compete for food.

13. Predation
Saltwater crocodiles and alligators are large predators that
feed on preys such as insects, crustaceans, fish, amphibians,
birds, and mammals.