Nature, in its infinite wisdom, has woven an intricate network of relationships between the living beings that inhabit it, one of the most fascinating and essential is symbiosis, a phenomenon where organisms of different species establish an intimate and prolonged coexistence, influencing their survival and evolution. The term "symbiosis" comes from the Greek "sym" (together) and "biosis" (life), and was coined by the German botanist Anton de Bary in 1879. Although initially it referred to any type of interaction between organisms, it is currently used to describe those relationships where there is a mutual benefit, a detriment to one of the parties or a neutral effect.
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In this sense, according to Molina (2010), several types of symbiosis that are generated in ecosystems can be described.
Mutualism: it is the best known form of symbiosis, where both species obtain benefits from their interaction, an example would be the relationship that exists with the bacteria of the genus rhyzobium and the roots of the legume plants, where the bacteria takes advantage of the substances generated by the plants and the plants take advantage of the nitrogen that fix this type of bacteria to the soil.
Commensalism: in this type of symbiosis, one species benefits from the relationship, while the other is not affected or benefited or harmed, a common example would be orchids because they can grow at the top of the canopy, which prevents them from being trampled or eaten by terrestrial organisms, without causing either harm or benefit to the plant where it is established.
Parasitism: in this case, one species (the parasite) benefits at the expense of another (the host), which is harmed, in ecosystems there are parasitic plants that for their growth get the nutrients they need for their development from another plant.
As you can see, symbiosis plays a crucial role in the functioning and stability of natural ecosystems, through the different forms of symbiosis, species can obtain food, protection, transportation, pollination and other benefits that allow them to survive and thrive in their respective habitats. In addition, symbiosis can be an engine of evolution, since interactions between species can generate new adaptations and genetic changes that drive the diversification of life on Earth.
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In the same vein, we can mention examples of Symbiosis in different ecosystems, we have forests, the relationship between trees and mycorrhizal fungi is an example of mutualism essential for the health of forests, mycorrhizal fungi help trees to absorb nutrients and water from the soil, while trees provide fungi with sugars and other organic compounds.
Dear readers, symbiosis is an omnipresent phenomenon in nature that reveals the interconnection and mutual dependence between living beings.From the simplest to the most complex relationships, symbiosis drives the evolution, biodiversity and stability of natural ecosystems. By understanding the importance of symbiosis, we can appreciate the complexity and beauty of life on earth, and become aware of the need to protect and conserve natural ecosystems to ensure the well-being of all species, including our own.
Symbiosis promotes biodiversity by allowing species to collaborate and complement each other, optimizing the use of resources and facilitating adaptation to different environments, in addition, symbiosis can be an engine of evolutionary innovation, since interactions between species can generate new ones.
- Molina, M. (2010) Fundamentals of natural factors and agricultural production. UNESUR. Santa Barbara de Zulia, Venezuela.
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