Small Scale Interdependence

Interdependence can occur on a small scale, for example in the physical realm of geography. Symbiosis is where the life of one species is directly dependent on the presence /existence of another.  The two species that engage in the relationship of symbiosis will benefit mutually from the interdependence that they share.  For example the clown fish and sea anemone.

The clown fish lives in the sea anemone and feeds of the small invertebrate that also live in the sea anemone. (The small invertebrates are detrimental to the survival of the sea anemone).  The clown fish will eat the small invertebrate, and then turn it into fecal matter, which will then in turn supply the ocean/sea with more nutrients to reciprocally feed the sea anemone. If the clown fish were removed from this relationship the small invertebrates would attack and or eat the sea anemone. Therefore the clown fish and the sea anemone live in symbiosis. The sea anemone provides a home / safe environment for the clown fish and the clown fish eats the small invertebrates which would otherwise cause the sea anemone harm. Everyone is a winner!!!!!!!