What term describes a relationship where both organisms benefit?

The term that describes a relationship where both organisms benefit is mutualism. In mutualistic interactions, both species gain advantages that can enhance their survival, reproductive success, or overall well-being. For instance, a classic example is the relationship between bees and flowering plants, where bees obtain nectar for food while helping the plants with pollination, which is essential for plant reproduction.

Understanding mutualism is crucial in ecology because it illustrates how species interact in their environments to form networks that contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem stability. In contrast, parasitism denotes a relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another; commensalism involves one organism benefiting while the other remains unaffected, and symbiosis covers a range of interactions, including mutualism but not limited to it. Hence, mutualism specifically highlights the mutual benefits received by both participating organisms.