Interdependence is a key theme found throughout ecology.
Ecology is the study of the relationships between different forms of biological life and their natural surroundings. All living things are dependent on both nature and each other for their survival. This dependence is called ecological interdependence and it can take numerous forms -- from food webs to habitat creation.
Interactions of organisms with the environment that are vital to survival. All species rely on other species in some way in order to survive. They may rely on other species for food, shelter or to help them reproduce.
These relationships can be categorized into many different classes. The interactions between two species do not necessarily need to be through direct contact. Due to the connected nature of ecosystems, species may affect each other through such relationships involving shared resources or common enemies.
The term symbiosis comes from a Greek word that means “living together.” Symbiosis can be used to describe various types of close relationships between organisms of different species, such as mutualism and commensalism, which are relationships in which neither organism is harmed.
Sometimes the term symbiosis is used only for cases where both organisms benefit, sometimes it is used more generally to describe all kinds of close relationships, even when one organism is killed by another.
Symbiosis can also be used to describe relationships where one organism lives on or in another, called parasitism, or when one organism kills and eats another organism, called predation.
To learn more, see links below:
CK12.org - Interdependence of Living Things
Seattlepi.com - What Is Interdependence in Ecology?
Gcisd-k12.org - Interdependence in Ecosystems