Trampling of grass due to the movement of animals is an example of?

Trampling of grass due to the movement of animals exemplifies amensalism, which describes a type of interaction where one species is harmed while the other is unaffected. In this case, when animals move through a grassy area, their trampling can lead to the damage or death of grass, thus harming the plant species. However, the animals themselves do not suffer any adverse effects from this interaction as they are simply traversing the area.

This relationship highlights the ecological dynamics where the actions of one species can inadvertently impact another, leading to a negative outcome for the affected species without reciprocation. In contrast, mutualism involves beneficial interactions for both species, commensalism involves one species benefiting while the other remains unaffected, and protocooperation refers to mutually beneficial interactions that are not obligatory for survival. Therefore, in this scenario, the correct classification of the interaction is amensalism.