Humans Would not Exist Without These 5 Animals
The earth, its ecosystems, and its creatures are all deeply connected. Thus, the existence of many species depends on the survival of others, and don’t think human beings are an exception. As disconnected from nature as many of us humans have become, there are many animals we rely on for our benefit and wellbeing. Believe it or not, many animals actually help people just by performing their natural roles in their environment. And we’re benefiting from their services for free!
By now, you may have heard about the buzz about bees, as concerns about their disappearance
have heightened in recent years. What would we do without having bees
to pollinate the world’s food supply? Other animals such as sea otters and corals
have also been commonly recognized as environmentally important for the
survival of many other species. But are you aware of how the following
unique organisms could be crucial to human survival?
1. Ants
Over 12,000 species of ants have been scientifically identified and
they are abundant in most ecosystems. In Gorongosa National Park, for
example, famous American biologist Edward Osborne Wilson discovered 200 species of ants on a single tree.
Stirring Up Soil
Ants aid
in decomposition and turn up more soil than earthworms! When ants dig
tunnels, they aerate the soil and recycle nutrients. This activity is
ecologically crucial in maintaining healthy soil for plant (food)
growth. Ants even help reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and the
need for irrigation.
A 2011 study concluded that in dry climates, ants and termites increased wheat crop yields by 36 percent. Ants have also been essential to production of coffee and chocolate. Okay, so we certainly don’t need coffee or chocolate to survive, but there are people who believe they do…
Passing on the Plants
Seed-harvesting ants transport seeds
to their nutrient rich nests, where plants can safely grow, free of
harm from herbivores. Ants sometimes travel far distances with seeds,
granting plants their desired dispersal goal for less light, space,
nutrition, and water competition with other plants. Why would ants be so
kind? Ants enjoy consuming elaiosomes, small structures on the outer surface of seeds, without harming the plant.
Picking off Pests
You might have thought ants were pests, but there are insects far
peskier than ants. Fly, flea, and bed bug eggs, larvae, or nymphs are
delicacies for many ants. Fleas can be hosts to parasites, which could
affect you! In some countries, flies can carry deadly parasites, so by
keeping the populations in balance, ants are saving people.
Wow, ants sure have a lot of ecological roles! What’s more? They help cleaning up rainforests
and keep ecosystems in balance. So, the next time you encounter an ant,
perhaps think twice about using your shoe as a squashing device.
2. Termites
Though they destroy our homes and are responsible for billions of dollars needed for annual repairs, termites are far more beneficial
than harmful to humans. Though sometimes called “white ants,” termites
and ants are different species, but they are similarly important. A
termite’s diet is based upon roots, wood, bark, and stems. How should
they know your house is off limits?
Devouring Decomposing Materials
Termites are detritivores and decomposers, meaning they consume
decomposing plant matter and play vital roles in recycling ecosystem
energy, as well as in balancing biogeochemical cycles. Unlike
other detritivores, the termite gut is unique in that it contains
microorganisms that break down cellulose (building blocks for plants),
which is indigestible without this symbiotic relationship. Think about
it … what would we do without termites to clean up all the decomposing material? We might drown is cellulose-based litter, like autumn leaves and tree branches!
3. Bats
Though they are often portrayed as creepy flighty creatures in Hollywood films (you can watch this video to see how cute bats can be), bats are exceptionally important to our ecosystem. And don’t worry about vampires. Out of over 1,200 species
of bats, only three are blood-sucking vampires and bats won’t harm
humans unless they are threatened. They do, however, help humans by
going about their normal business.
Biological Pest Police
Insectivorous bats, which make up 70 percent
of bat species, perform nocturnal insect control services by consuming
millions of pest insects each year. Farmers are grateful to bats because
they save billions of dollars of crops each year, while reducing the
need for chemical pesticides.
In many places of the world, mosquitoes are vectors of deadly diseases
such as malaria and dengue fever. A single brown bat can eat up to a
thousand mosquitoes in one hour! Wow, are you grateful for bats yet?
Mmmm Guano!
That’s right. Guano, or bat droppings have significant roles for
plant dispersal. Unlike other seed-dispersing animals, fruitivorous bats
travel far distances, helping plants to grow and survive in a variety
of locations. Due to their effective seed dispersing of plants such as
avocados, figs, cashews, and dates, and their aid in restoring forests,
bats have been called “farmers of the tropics.”
They are also considered keystone species in many tropical and desert
ecosystems, meaning the survival of other species (perhaps even humans)
depends on bats!
Pollinating Plants
Nectar-eating bats are crucial pollinators for over 500 plant species,
many of which are ecologically significant. Most flowering plants do
not have the ability to produce seeds without being pollinated. When
bats drink a flower’s nectar, they subsequently pick up pollen and
transfer it as they feed.
4. Frogs
You may have never given much attention to these slimy species, but
frogs are far more important to humans than being used for high school dissection experiments.
Contamination Control
Frogs act as bio-indicators,
which means they indicate the health of their ecosystems. How? Frog
skin is very porous and permeable, allowing substances present in the
environment to be absorbed within their fatty tissues. Since these
amphibians have the ability to live terrestrially and aquatically, they
can indicate contamination dilemmas for both habitats. Since frogs will
most often be the first animals to react to biological hazards, they are
helpful for warning humans to take action.
Cycle of Life
Though not as effective as bats, frogs do help in insect control.
They are also a food source to many carnivorous species and are needed
for maintaining balanced ecosystems.
5. Birds
Ecological Jack of all Trades
Birds perform a broad variety
of ecological roles, including forest decomposition, insect pest
control, nutrient recycling, bio-indication of ecosystem health, plant
pollination, and seed dispersal. Some ground-dwelling birds even help
aerate and turn up soil with their claws. Though ant, termite, bat, and
frog species might be the masters of their trades, birds certainly seem
like the jack of them all!
Balanced Beauties
Birds keep systems in balance, but they are not only ecologically
significant to humans; they provide inspiration to people with their
aesthetic magnificence. Could you imagine a world without the visual and
acoustic beauty of avian creatures? Just check out this video of a murmuration, and you’ll know what we mean.
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