Brazil Nut Trees

Have you ever thought about how the forests, oceans, lakes, rivers, or jungles stay healthy, strong and full of life?

It is the work of thousands, maybe millions of organisms, big and small, that make up our planet's living ecosystems. 

In one of the world's largest tropical water basins lives the Amazon rainforest and river systems. Here the biggest jungle on earth is packed with plants and animals with networks of relationships helping every specie survive.

Interdependent Relationships

In nature, there is a fine balance between all elements.  Ecosystems work because all species are somewhat dependent on one another. What are called 'interpendent relationships' are vital  in rainforest ecosystems like the Amazon. As the biggest rainforest on earth, it also contains the most species of plants and animals out of all terrestial ecosystems on our planet. By helping each other to survive, the inhabitants this jungle will hopefully continue to thrive. 

A giant canope tree, the Castana Tree or Brazil Nut Tree (Bertholletia Excelsa) is the tallest of all in Brazil's jungle forests. However, a ground dwelling animal is the one contributing to its survival.

The Agouti is the only animal capable of crushing the trees' grapefruit-sized seed pods! Once they hit the ground, the Agouti, a small rodent carries the tree's seeds and burries them where a new generation of Brazil nut trees can begin to grow.

The Euglossine Orchid Bee is also a team player helping the Castana tree survive.  This bee polinates the tree and without this the trees cannot reproduce.  Given the Euglossine's instrumental role,  Brazil nut trees will only thrive in their native forests where the bees live as well.