Question

In rainforests, different trees produce fruit at different times, resulting in an abundance of food for heterotrophs at all times of year. What do you predict would occur if all the fig trees in the rainforest died?

Answer 1

The death of all fig trees in a rainforest would disrupt the ecosystem by removing a key food source for heterotrophs, likely leading to a decline in their populations and a subsequent cascading effect on biodiversity and forest health.

Step-by-step explanation:

If all the fig trees in the rainforest died, there would be significant impacts on the rainforest ecosystem. Fig trees often serve as a keystone species due to their ability to produce fruit year-round, providing consistent food sources for many heterotrophs such as birds, monkeys, and insects. The absence of fig trees could lead to a decrease in the population of these animals as their food source diminishes. Additionally, the loss of such a significant producer would disturb the food web balance, potentially leading to the decrease or local extinction of animals that depend heavily on fig trees for survival. This loss of biodiversity can have cascading effects throughout the ecosystem as each species plays a critical role in maintaining the health and function of the forest.