Friend, Foe, or . . .

As a result of this lesson plan, upper elementary ocean explorers will be able to describe several interrelationships: symbiosis, mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. They learn that the biological richness is increased near seamounts and use this type of community to find examples of each of these relationships. After discussion of these concepts, learners work in groups to research an individual seamount community member. They prepare reports to share with the rest of the class.