Species interactions refer to the relationships between different organisms within an ecosystem, including competition, predation, mutualism, and parasitism. These interactions play a crucial role in shaping the structure and dynamics of ecosystems, influencing population dynamics, community composition, and ecosystem function. Competition occurs when organisms vie for limited resources such as food, water, or space. Predation involves one organism, the predator, consuming another, the prey. Mutualism is a mutually beneficial relationship where both species benefit from the interaction, such as pollination or symbiosis. Parasitism is a relationship in which one organism benefits at the expense of the other, such as a parasite feeding off a host. Understanding species interactions is important for conservation efforts, as changes in these relationships can have cascading effects on ecosystem stability and biodiversity. Researchers study species interactions in various ecosystems, from terrestrial to aquatic, to better understand the complex web of relationships that exist in nature.