Endangered Species
Robin Kim
Orangutan
These majestic apes consume wild fruits like lychees, mangosteens, and figs while they drink water from holes in trees. This shows that these apes are very important to their food chain. Orangutans are critically endangered because they are slow and large targets for hunters. They are killed for food or in some cases retaliation when they move to agricultural areas destroying crops. This happens when Orangutans can not find food they need in the forest. If these apes were to become extinct, there would be a disparity in the food chain. Since these animals are gardeners of the forest, they play a vital role in dispersal of seeds in their habitats. Without them, plant growth would mess up the food chain.
Holywood (Guaiacum Santum)
Holywood, scientifically known as Guaiacum Santum, is native to the Caribbean, Central America and Florida with few remaining populations. The species is not extinct yet, but extremely rare across its native habitats. The holywood is a stunning plant which produces blue flowers in clusters or solitarily.
The holywood plays an important role in the forest ecosystem, providing vital resources and niches for many other species. As well as providing cover for many species of bird, its seeds also provide a food source to many species. These birds either consume the seeds themselves or transport them for consumption by nestlings.