Vultures play a unique role in their ecosystems as scavengers and carrion-eaters. They often interact with other scavengers and carrion-eating species in various ways. For example, vultures may compete with other scavengers for access to carcasses, but they also benefit from the presence of smaller scavengers that may help to break down larger carcasses. Additionally, vultures may form social hierarchies within their own species, which can influence their interactions with other scavengers. Generally, vultures contribute to the ecosystem by helping to clean up carrion and prevent the spread of diseases.