Trophic Interaction

This trophic interaction is between a squirrel and I believe it was either an acorn or walnut. Acorns and walnuts come from trees, which are primary producers, making the squirrel a primary consumer.

I think the most influential species in my ecosystem would be the trees. I believe the most abundant tree at my site is either the ash or oak. These trees not only create habitat for birds and squirrels, when they fall from either weather or disease, they create homes for insects and other animals on the ground. In addition, their roots help with nutrient flow and erosion. The canopy of the trees also provides shade and controls the amount of sunlight given to plants on the ground. If you were to remove the trees, you would remove the habitat for many species. In addition, there would be more erosion along the riverbank. If you were to replace it with an invasive species, I do not see a major problem. Unless the invasive species consumes more nutrients and causes other species to be wiped out, it would be welcomed. In fact, there was a problem with emerald ash borer in my site, so the ash trees may need to be replaced.

Three organisms I took for the first capstone are mallard ducks, a squirrel, and a mushroom that I believe is a stumpy. According to the article, the mushroom, being a decomposer, is food-limited. Since they degrade organic debris, they are limited by the amount of debris available to decompose. For the ducks and squirrel they are limited by predation, the weather, and “the level below that set by its resources.”

Done