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What role does a cactus play in the ecosystem?
The dense network of spines shades the stems, keeping them cooler than the surrounding air. Many barrel cactus lean to the south so that a minimum of body surface is exposed to the drying effect of the midday sun. Cactus pay a price for these water-saving adaptations — slow growth.
What is the classification of cactus?
Cactaceae
Cactus/Scientific names
What ecosystem does a cactus live in?
Although some species live in quite humid environments, most cacti live in habitats subject to at least some drought. Many live in extremely dry environments, even being found in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on earth. Cacti show many adaptations to conserve water.
Where is the cactus in the food chain?
In fact, however, the cacti fulfill their role as producers in the food chain by setting a veritable banquet table for a number of animals, including the species we call “homo sapiens.”
How are cactus useful to animals?
Cactus plants such as prickly pear are food for various bird species, mammals, and insects. Many birds, lizards, mammals, insects, and bats rely on the flowers, fruits, and flesh of saguaro to survive in the desert. Some birds of prey and other ground animals make their nests in cactus.
What is the domain of cactus?
Eukaryote
Cactus/Domain
What features does a cactus have?
Cacti generally have thick herbaceous or woody chlorophyll-containing stems. Cacti can be distinguished from other succulent plants by the presence of areoles, small cushionlike structures with trichomes (plant hairs) and, in almost all species, spines or barbed bristles (glochids).
How is a cactus plant suited to its environment in this habitat?
Characteristics of the Cactus Plant that Helps It to Adapt to Desert Climate. The cactus plant can survive in the desert because it has developed mechanisms to absorb a maximum amount of water whenever it rains, store the water for a relatively long period while using it efficiently.
How did cacti adapt to their environment?
Cacti are well adapted for survival in the desert. The spines also protect the cacti from animals that might eat them. Very thick, waxy cuticle to reduce water loss by evaporation . Reduced number ofstomata to reduce water loss by transpiration .
Is a cactus a producer in the food chain?
Desert Food Chain The Cactus – Part 3. In fact, however, the cacti fulfill their role as producers in the food chain by setting a veritable banquet table for a number of animals, including the species we call “homo sapiens.”
What does a cactus do in the food web?
What role does the prickly pear cactus play in a desert food web? It obtains energy from producers.
What is the economic importance of cactus?
Some species are used as livestock feed. Most opuntias grow so rapidly to a large and ungainly size that they are unsuitable for cultivation as ornamentals, and in the wild often become weeds. However, the major economic importance of the cactus family is in the florists’ trade.