What defines parasitism?

Parasitism is defined as a relationship in which one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (the host). In this interaction, the parasite typically derives nutrients or some other benefit from the host, which often suffers harm as a result. This relationship can lead to various negative consequences for the host, such as decreased health, reproductive success, or even death, depending on the nature and severity of the parasitic interaction.

Understanding this concept is crucial in ecology because it highlights the dynamics of interactions within ecosystems, illustrating how one species can exploit another and how these interactions can shape population dynamics and community structure. This relationship is a key aspect of ecological studies as it contributes to the understanding of biodiversity, species interactions, and the evolution of both parasites and their hosts.