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What role does the Gila woodpecker have for the saguaro cactus?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
One role that the Gila woodpecker [Melanerpes uropygialis] plays for the saguaro cactus [Carnegiea gigantea] is as pollinator. It's one of the major predators of the saguaro's large, edible, dark plum like fruits. In eating the fruit, it eliminates the seeds by which the saguaro naturally reproduces.
Another role is as predator. In a way, it doesn't matter how many saguaro fruits that that woodpecker eats. What's important is the elimination of the digested seeds. It's a natural way of insuring perpetuation of the saguaro species.
But the woodpecker affects another of the cactus' body parts other than the fruit. The woodpecker is known to drill holes into the stem, for nest building. The drilling and the nesting can be a problem, depending upon the extent of the damage.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe saguaro cactus makes a home for the Gila Woodpecker.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoa woodpecker uses a saguaro cactus as their home
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe cactus gives the woodpecker a protected home and the woodpecker eats small enemies of the cactus that get on it
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What is the role of a cactus as it moves energy and matter through its ecosystem?
I need to know this answer too!! For my homework :)
What is the role of the cactus as it moves energy and matter through its ecosystem?
I need to know this answer too!! For my homework :)
What role does a saguaro cactus play in its ecosystem?
One way in which the saguaro cactus [Carnegiea gigantea] adapts to its desert ecosystem is by growing thick, columnlike stems. The stems are big enough to carry on much of the life sustaining activities for the entire plant. For example, the stems move, process and store nutrient solutions and energizing photosynthetic products. Concentrating all of these important activities in the place where they're most needed saves on energy.Another way is by growing slow but tall. Its height casts a shadow on the soil around its base. This keeps available water - be it dew or rainfall - from evaporating. It allows the moisture to drip into the ground and be taken in by the cactus' roots. Additionally, the slow growth allows the plant to spread its energy use over a longer lifetime that may reach 150+ years.Still another way is by growing shallow, fibrous roots. The roots spread out underground, to anchor the plant. They also hold together the soil, against erosion. And they seek out available water and dissolved nutrients.Yet another way is by growing branches, flowers, and fruits late in life. A saguaro tends not to branch or flower until after it's 40+ years old. This is a wise, energy saving move. The cactus directs most of its energy to getting established in an extreme, harsh environment. Once accomplished, then it starts directing energizing photosynthetic products into reproduction.
Can you live without a cactus?
Yes, people can live without cactus plants if they're outside the plant's native range in North and Latin America. But no, they can't live without cactus plants if they're within the plants' native ranges. Within desert and jungle America, the cactus plays a key role in the environment. For example, the desert cactus is the main vegetative cover that conserves water, disperses sunlight, holds soil together, and provides color and oxygen in an otherwise drab, dry, extreme, harsh environment. The jungle cactus interacts in mutually beneficial ways with the trees on which it's anchored.
What actors and actresses appeared in Cactus Nell - 1917?
The cast of Cactus Nell - 1917 includes: Wallace Beery as A Polished Gent Cliff Bowes as The Town Drunk Bob Kortman as Undetermined Secondary Role Clarence Lyndon as The Mayor Polly Moran as Cactus Nell - the New Sheriff Jack Perrin as The Banjo Player Gene Rogers as The Mortgage Holder
What is use of cactus?
Cacti are pollinated by the animals so that why they need animals tto help them in pollination
Who won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in 1970?
Goldie Hawn won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in 1970 for Cactus Flower.
What actors and actresses appeared in Cactus in the Snow - 1971?
The cast of Cactus in the Snow - 1971 includes: Lucille Benson as Mrs. Sawyer Jerry Brutsche as Minor Role Jan Burrell as Woman Pharmacist Ruby Dake as Dolores Joe Di Reda as Mr. Harris Dennis Fimple as Mr. Murray Corey Fischer as Bartender Hugh Fischer as Drill Instructor Buddy Garion as Minor Role Tani Guthrie as Mrs. Harris Gregory Irvin as Minor Role Tiger Joe Marsh as Cab Driver Stan Kamber as Cal Beamish Mary Layne as Cissy Gregory Mead as Joe Christopher Mitchum as George Beatriz Monteil as Valerie Belinda Palmer as Minor Role Karen Smith as Minor Role Richard Thomas as Harley MacIntosh Lesley Woods as Minor Role
How cactus leaves work?
Typically the leaves of the plant play the greatest role in photosynthesis. However, on cacti, the needles are actually modified leaves. These needles are a characteristic of protection and cannot carry out photosynthesis due to little surface area. Therefore, it is the stem that does the photosynthesis for the plant.
How do cacti survive?
A cactus has a fleshy stem and has no leaves. Leaves are the parts of any plant which plays a role in transpiration, i.e., leaves transpire. The excess water is therefore lost to the environment from the leaves. In a cactus, the leaves are modified into thorns. So, there is no such transpiration. There is loss of excess water. Water is therefore retained which can be used by the plant any time. Thus, the extremely hot climate doesn't affect it.
