Question

Match the LIST-I with LIST-II

LIST-I (Interaction)	LIST-II (Examples)
A. Commensalism B. Competition C. Mutualism D. Predation	I. Mycorrhizae II. Maintaining species diversity by reducing prey competition III. Orchid growing as an epiphyte on a Mango Branch IV. Visiting flamingoes and resident fish in a lake

• A. A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III
• B. A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
• C. A-III, B-II, C-I, D-IV
• D. A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II

Hint:

Mutualism = Win-Win; Commensalism = Win-Neutral; Competition = Struggle for same resource; Predation = One eats another.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: Ecological interactions describe how different species in an ecosystem influence one another. These can be beneficial (+), harmful (-), or neutral (0) for the participants.

Step 1: Mapping the Beneficial Interactions.

• A. Commensalism (+/0) $\leftrightarrow$ III: An Orchid on a Mango branch benefits by getting height and light, while the tree is neither helped nor harmed.
• C. Mutualism (+/+) $\leftrightarrow$ I: Mycorrhizae is a symbiotic association where fungi help plants absorb nutrients, and the plant provides carbohydrates to the fungi.

Step 2: Mapping the Harmful/Competitive Interactions.

• B. Competition (-/-) $\leftrightarrow$ IV: In certain South American lakes, flamingoes and resident fish both compete for the same food source (zooplankton).
• D. Predation (+/-) $\leftrightarrow$ II: Predation can actually maintain species diversity (e.g., Starfish *Pisaster*). By eating a dominant competitor, the predator prevents that competitor from monopolizing resources and wiping out other prey species.