This weird plant can't photosynthesize, so it becomes a parasite, attaching to the roots of other plants to collect nutrients. A rare Japanese rabbit helps spread it with its poop.
, adds that the study highlights the sometimes unexpected roles that species play in maintaining the web of life.
“Many endangered species have not been studied extensively and their full ecological importance may not be known yet,” Suetsugu wrote. “For example, endangered species can play important roles as pollinators, seed dispersers, predators, or prey. They can also help to maintain the balance of an ecosystem by controlling the populations of other species.”Scientists are still trying to understand the roles of endangered animals within their ecosystems, including with seed dispersal, explains.
“Because many endangered animals share common traits such as large body sizes, they tend to be species that also perform unique or relatively impactful roles in their ecosystems,” Lamperty wrote. “But because existing data is limited, we cannot say this with certainty and more research is needed.” Suetsugu says the unknown functions of endangered species should be considered when governments make conservation policies. Understanding the roles endangered species play can help conservation managers more effectively protect and restore habitats, control invasive species, and reduce other threats, he says.
“Protecting endangered species not only helps to preserve biodiversity, but it can also have important benefits for human well-being,” says Suetsugu.
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