Mutualism

Mutualism is an ecological interaction between two species, in which both species benefit from the interaction. Examples of such interaction are pollination of flowers by bees, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria that help certain plants to absorb nitrogen from the air. Mutualisms often develop over long periods of time and result in a stronger, more resilient overall ecosystem. As species rely on each other for resources, mutualisms are a key component of healthy and sustainable ecosystems. They are also often essential for human activities such as crop pollination, and so can have huge economic impacts.