Why Do Cycads Have A Role In Ecosystem?

Role in Ecosystem (Heather)

Though these plants are found in many places, they are never the central plants in an ecosystem (“Cycads”) which also means that they have to compete with other trees and nearby plants for space, nutrients, and sunlight. Cycads are plants so this means that they are autotrophs which are the producers in the ecosystem (Photosynthetic organisms). Cycads provide food for different animals and for certain bacteria, a sheltered place to live. In addition to sheltering these little buddies, these plants provide food for a range of birds and mammals (Nihou). Cycad seeds have a meaty layer on the outside that many animals eat for their nutritional value (“Cycads.”). This benefits both the animals and the cycads in that the birds/ mammals get a nutritious meal and the cycads get a

Cycads have a special symbiotic relationship with certain groups of bacteria one of which is called Anabaena (Arens). They provide this bacterium (which is photosynthetic) with shelter and stability while allowing it to get the sunlight it needs (Arens). Cycads are able to do this because of specialized roots that protrude from the earth called coralloid roots (because they resemble coral) (Arens). In return for their cozy home, the bacteria provide the cycad with some of the nitrogen that it needs to grow (Arens). While Cycads have a healthy and beneficial relationship with these organisms, this is not always the case. From the research conducted, it seems that the location that the plant is in determines what, if any, pests or parasites can or will afflict the Cycad plants. The two pests with the broadest range (almost across the globe) are the Leopard Magpie Moth (scientific name: Zerenopsis leopardina) (Lorraine) and some tiny insects called cycad aulacaspis scale (CAS) (often called Cycad Scales) (“Cycad Pest….”). The Leopard Moth lays eggs on the Cycad’s leaves, and from these eggs hatch caterpillars