When you see an animal like a Glossy Black Cockatoo you might observe it for a moment. But what if you could watch it for several thousand years? What would you learn differently? When it comes to Glossy Black Cockatoos and ecosystemsHow ecosystems function An ecosystem is a community of lifeforms that interact in such an optimal way that how ecosystems function best, is when all components (including humans and other animals) can persist and live alongside each other for the longest time possible. Ecosystems are fuelled by the energy created by plants (primary producers) that convert the Sun's heat energy More, they are slow achievers. Only then would you discover how they shape the landscape into what it is today.
Eating machines that engineer ecosystems
These cockatoos spend 88% of their lives sitting quietly and chewing the fruits from a type of tree called a she-oak.
If you were to watch all the cockatoos from a family, you’d notice they feed only on a select few ‘feed’ trees. If you were to watch many generations of that family over many years, you’d find these same trees being used over and over again.
The birds no doubt choose certain trees for their nutrition and then spread seeds all over the landscape. Day in, day out, for thousands of years they have followed the same routine. Much like how I recently wrote about aadvarks.
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Why are Aardvarks important?
Many animals are present temporarily, like migratory birds or even wildebeest, while insects and rodents are tiny and fastidious. Aardvarks on the other hand are ancient. Indeed, there are fossil…
Animals and birds shape our forests
We take forests for granted and think they set-seed themselves; that the landscape is created by plants … but it’s not.
The shape of ecosystems is determined by animals. This is the secrete to Glossy Black Cockatoos and ecosystems. It’s also behind the activity of most animals.
Because animals are bonded to the landscape – we shape it, and consume things from it, in equal measure. Ecosystems and animals are one and the same. We are as connected to its shape as a river is flowing between mountains, scouring a valley floor.
Next time you look at any animal try to imagine its routine and then think about how long its ancestors have been doing the same. It creates a whole new dimension of thinking about their importance to the world we live in.
