USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) Practice Exam

What is the ecological interaction exemplified by cattle trampling and killing small plants?

1. Commensalism

2. Predation

3. Amensalism

4. Mutualism

The correct answer is: Amensalism

The interaction described, where cattle trample and kill small plants, is correctly identified as amensalism. In this ecological relationship, one species is harmed while the other remains unaffected or even benefits indirectly. In this case, the cattle, as large grazing animals, inadvertently destroy small plants through trampling, leading to a negative impact on those plants. However, the cattle do not receive any benefit from this interaction, as they do not rely on the plants for food or any other resource. Understanding amensalism is essential, as it highlights how certain activities of one organism can suppress or harm another without any reciprocal effect. It differs markedly from predation, where one organism preys on another for food, implying a direct interaction with detrimental effects on the prey species. Commensalism involves one organism benefiting while the other is neither helped nor harmed, which is not the case here, given the clear harm to the small plants. Lastly, mutualism refers to interactions where both species benefit, which does not apply in this scenario.