03 Ecosistemas Forestales: Interacciones entre Organismos

The effect of animals on plants in a forest ecosystem can influence both the individual and population levels of plants.

Fruit eating or frugivory does not directly affect the production of seeds by plants.

Trophic networks are influenced by both bottom-up effects (resources impacting higher trophic levels) and top-down effects (predators impacting lower trophic levels).

Factors like nutrient availability, temperature, and sunlight can impact the growth and survival of producer organisms in an ecosystem.

An increase in algal populations in a water ecosystem can lead to an increase in the population of herbivores, since algae are a primary food source for many herbivores.

Fungi obtain nutrients by absorbing organic matter through their bodies.

The mycelium of a fungus is a network of branching filaments called hyphae, which helps the fungus absorb nutrients and spread through its environment.

Insects belong to the animal kingdom and are invertebrates, meaning they lack a backbone.

Fungi can have a parasitic relationship with plants, a symbiotic relationship with plants (like mycorrhizae), or a decomposer relationship; they break down dead organic matter.

An increase in the predator population can lead to a decrease in the herbivore population, as predators consume more herbivores.

Herbivores directly impact plants by reducing plant biomass and lowering their fitness (ability to reproduce and survive).

Plants can interact with each other through competition (fighting for resources) or facilitation (helping each other grow).

Herbivores consuming fruits can help with seed dispersal, spreading seeds to new areas.

Herbivores can positively affect vegetation by reducing competition among plants, allowing for greater diversity, and they can facilitate seed dispersal.

Forest fragmentation, breaking up forests into smaller patches, can increase bird diversity by creating more varied habitats and microhabitats within the forest fragments.

Carnivorous mammals can impact the presence and abundance of herbivorous mammals by preying on them, reducing their populations.

The passage of seeds through the digestive tract of herbivores can increase the germination rate of seeds, breaking dormancy and allowing them to grow.

Herbivore feces (dung) can have a positive indirect effect on the soil, returning nutrients that can benefit plant growth.

Increased plant diversity in an ecosystem can lead to increased diversity in other organism types, including insects, birds, and mammals.

Beneficial insects play important roles in pest control, including pollination, product generation (like honey), biological pest control, decomposition, and research.

Honey is an example of a product generated by beneficial insects, specifically bees.

Vegetation provides essential resources for animals, including food, shelter, nesting sites, and microhabitats.

Bird diversity tends to increase with greater plant diversity, as a variety of plants provides a variety of habitats and resources for birds.

The fungal cell wall is a dynamic structure mainly composed of chitin, a strong and durable material.

Plants can be either generalists or specialists based on the number of dispersers (spreading seeds) and pollinators (helping with reproduction) they rely on.