Interactions Between Plants

Courses : Forest Ecology Lecturer : Bella Ariana Semester : 4th Semester, 2022/2023 Sesion Interactions Between Plants Interaction between plants is the relationship between each other or plant populations in an ecosystem. There are three types of relationships: positive (mutually beneficial), negative (mutually detrimental), or neutral (relatively little influence). Interactions between plants affect the growth, survival, and distribution of plants in the forest through various mechanisms and processes. The following are some of the common types of relationships between plants: Plants in a forest ecosystem interact with each other through various mechanisms and processes. Here are some examples of interactions between plants that occur in the forest: 1. Competition: In forests, plants compete for resources such as sunlight, water, nutrients, and space to grow. They fight for these resources, gain an advantage in growing and surviving. Competence can have an impact on the distribution and density of plant populations in forests. The following are examples of competitive interactions between plants: • Within the forest, two large trees vied for sunlight. The two trees will compete to cover the larger canopy to absorb sunlight. • The weeds that grow in farm gardens compete with cultivated plants for water, nutrients, and growing space. These weeds can inhibit the growth of cultivated plants and become a strong enemy in the struggle for resources. • Weed plants compete with food crops such as rice or maize for nutrients and growth space. These weeds can inhibit the growth of food crops and reduce yields. 2. Symbiosis: Mutualistic interaction between two or more organisms for mutual benefit is called symbiosis. Various types of plant symbiosis occur in the forest. The mutualistic relationship between trees and mycorrhizal fungi is an example. Trees help fungi absorb nutrients such as phosphorus and water from the soil, and trees provide carbohydrates to fungi through photosynthesis. The following are examples of symbiotic interactions between plants: • Mycorrhizal Relationship: Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic relationship between fungi and plant roots. While fungi help plants absorb water and nutrients from the soil, plant roots provide carbohydrates through photosynthesis to the fungi. Many forest types, including tropical rainforests and conifer forests, have this mycorrhizal relationship. • Pollination by insects: Many plants in forests depend on insects to transmit pollen from male flowers to female flowers. Pollination is usually carried out by insects such as bees, butterflies and flies. Plants provide insects with nectar or other food sources as gifts. • Pollination by bats: Bats play an important role in pollination in some forests, especially tropical forests. As they fly, the bats feed on nectar from flowers and carry pollen from one flower to another. Bats rely heavily on the pollination of many plants, such as durian trees. 3. Pollination: The mutualistic interaction between two or more organisms for mutual benefit is called symbiosis. Various types of plant symbiosis occur in the forest. The mutualistic relationship between trees and mycorrhizal fungi is an example. Trees help fungi absorb nutrients such as phosphorus and water from the soil, and trees provide carbohydrates to fungi through photosynthesis. The following are examples of pollination interactions between plants: • Pollination by bees: Bees are very important pollinators. They visit flowers to collect nectar and pollen, and they carry pollen from one flower to another to allow fertilization. Bees are essential for fertilizing crops like oranges, apples, strawberries and many more. • Pollination by butterflies: Also, butterflies play a role in pollination. They search for nectar in various flowers and carry the pollen from one flower to another. As a rule, butterflies have a long proboscis, which allows them to produce nectar in flowers with a deep and narrow corolla. • Pollination by hummingbirds: As pollinators known for their long beaks and ability to fly steadily through the air, hummingbirds are one of the most well-known bird species. The flower beak is inserted into the beak to collect nectar, and the pollen sticks to the beak. To allow pollination, hummingbirds carry pollen onto new flower heads. Hummingbirds clean plants like hibiscus and fuchsia. 4. Seed dispersal: For reproduction and dispersal, plants in the forest depend on seed dispersal. Some plants have a special way of attracting animals such as birds and mammals, which eat their fruit and then excrete seeds in their excrement. This increases the plant's reach and aids in seed dispersal. The following are examples of seed dispersal by various agents in ecosystems: • Seed dispersal by animals: Many animals are responsible for dispersing seeds. For example, bird droppings when eating fruits help disperse the seeds. Rodents such as squirrels and rats may also transport seeds when collecting and storing their food elsewhere. In addition, large mammals such as antelopes, elephants and wild boars have the ability to disperse seeds in their faeces. • Wind dispersal of seeds: Some plants produce tiny seeds that have a special structure that allows wind to disperse them. Usually, grains like grains and grasses like grass have seeds that are easily carried by the wind and spread everywhere. • Seed dispersal by water: Water can also help disperse seeds. Some plants use running water to disperse their seeds. Streams of water can carry small grains or seeds to a place suitable for growth. 5. Suppression or allelopathy: Some plants produce chemical compounds that can affect the growth and survival of other plants around them. This is called allelopathy. Some plants excrete allelopathic compounds through their roots, leaves or litter. This compound has the ability to stop the growth of other plants and control competition. Suppression or allelopathy is an interaction between plants in which one plant releases a chemical substance (allochemical) that can affect the growth, development or survival of other plants around it. The following are examples of suppression or allelopathy between plants: • Pine plants incorporate chemical compounds such as terpenoids and phenolics into the surrounding soil. These compounds can stop the growth and development of other plants in the vicinity, creating a growth inhibition zone. • Phenolic acid, an allelochemical compound secreted by wheat plants, can inhibit the growth of weeds in the vicinity. As natural herbicides, these compounds help wheat crops compete with weeds and reduce competition for resources. • Glucosinolates are compounds produced by several species of plants in the Brassicaceae family, including broccoli, mustard greens, and radishes. In forests, the relationships between plants are complex and varied. To maintain the balance of the ecosystem and the survival of plants in the forest, these ecological nets are very important. Interactions between plants are very important in influencing the structure and composition of forests and in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. Through these interactions, plants can mutually influence their growth, survival, distribution, and sustainability in the complex forest environment.