Ecosystems are made up of multiple species interacting with each other. Some of these species are competing with each other for resources and others act as predators or prey. Certain species may also depend on other species without consuming them and can cause harm (parasites) or provide benefits (mutualists). Together, these interactions can create balanced ecosystems where species will coexist rather than outcompete each other. In this lesson, students will learn about different species interactions and how these all combine to create diverse communities.