Question

Write an illustration on interdependence of plants and animals. Explain the effect of extinction of an organism on food chain with a suitable example.​

Answer 1

Answer:

What do you eat? Rice, roti, chicken burgers, french fries, orange juice and so many other things. We all know that humans are dependent on plants and animals for various reasons. Plants and animals (humans included) are interdependent on each other for many reasons. In an ecosystem like a forest, the main consequence of this dependence is the food chain. An illustration of a food chain or food web is given below.

Interdependence of Plants and Animals

Here, plants consume decayed material from the soil for their nourishment and are consumed by plant-eating animals for their survival. The carnivores then consume the lower animals of the food chain for their nutrition and survival. When living organisms perish, they will decompose and form a part of the soil, which can again be consumed by plants. The cycle continues to exist in this way.

Apart from food dependence, there exists a reproductive dependence between plants and animals. For example, bees are the major carriers of pollen which is transferred between flowers. Pollination helps certain kinds of plant to reproduce. The bees also obtain the nectar of flowers as their nourishment thereby establishing a symbiotic relationship within themselves.

Apart from pollination, different animals help in plant reproduction by acting as carriers of seeds. For their survival, it is important that plants grow over a sufficient area. This is because many plants growing in the same region do not get sufficient amount of water, sunlight and nutrients.

The flora in forests also helps establish a protection around animals living within them. This protection is offered both within and outside the ecosystem. For example, trees and large bushes help protect animals from their predators, by providing a camouflage. Animals are also protected to certain degree from outside influences like extreme weather and climates by this. Apart from these, there is also the obvious fact that forests are home to a variety of animals.

Forests are an ecosystem and in all ecosystems, living organisms are dependent on each other for their continued existence.

Answer 2

Plant and Animal Interdependence is:

• We all know that humans depend on plants and animals for a variety of reasons.

• Plants and animals (including humans) depend on each other for many reasons.

• In a forest-like ecosystem, the main effect of this depends on the food chain.

• A diagram of the food series or food web is provided below.

• Here the plants use decaying material from the soil to feed and are eaten by plant-eating animals for survival.

• The carnivorous animals then eat the lower animals of the food chain to survive and thrive.
• When species die, they will decay and become part of the soil, which can no longer be eaten by plants.

• The cycle continues to exist in this way.

• Apart from the dependence on food, there is a dependence on reproduction between plants and animals.
• Example: Bees.

• In addition to pollen, various animals help to produce plants by acting as seed carriers.
• In order to survive, it is important that the plants grow in an adequate environment.

• This is because many plants that grow in one place do not get enough water, sunlight and nutrients.

• Plants in the forests also help to establish protection for the animals that live among them.

• This protection is provided within and outside the ecosystem.

• For example, large trees and shrubs help protect animals from predators, by giving them shelter.