The Cassowary is a multicellular eukaryotic organism, found in numbers of approximately 1,200-2,000 within Australia (name, date). These flightless birds are first level consumers, feeding from over 150 different fallen fruit species, and it is estimated that 70-100 plant species rely entirely upon the Cassowary for seed dispersal over a habitat. As the only native animal adapted to consume most larger rainforest fruits and carry their seeds through their digestive system undamaged, these ‘keystone species’ play a crucial role in the maintenance of the rainforest ecosystem (name, date).
After remaining within the cassowary’s digestive system for approximately 10 hours, it can be ensured that the seed is deposited far away from the parent tree …show more content…
Until 1987, much of Queensland’s rainforest regions such as The Daintree were heavily logged, destroying more than 60% of the cassowary’s habitat. As a highly territorial bird, the loss of this habitat resulted in massive disruption of the entire surrounding ecosystem (name, date). Additionally, resulting in the fragmentation of habitable land, meaning that wide open fields exposed them to predators. As time went on, roads were developed across these fragmented rainforests. Resultantly, the cassowaries were forced to cross them to reach other food sources, creating major risks for being run over by passing cars (name, date). Along with this, humans may unknowingly hand feed them, increasing their dependence upon exterior food sources and their proximity to roads and traffic. The introduction of other species such as large packs of dogs also affect this ecological climate. By pursuing them to the point of exhaustion, these packs have hunted and killed many cassowaries. While feral pigs also pose the threat of competition by sharing the same food sources as the cassowary, along with being highly destructive creatures (name, date). These animals are also of great cultural significance to the indigenous peoples from surrounding regions, through historical practices of hunting. Though this may not be a significant threat today, it is nevertheless an important consideration
After remaining within the cassowary’s digestive system for approximately 10 hours, it can be ensured that the seed is deposited far away from the parent tree …show more content…
Until 1987, much of Queensland’s rainforest regions such as The Daintree were heavily logged, destroying more than 60% of the cassowary’s habitat. As a highly territorial bird, the loss of this habitat resulted in massive disruption of the entire surrounding ecosystem (name, date). Additionally, resulting in the fragmentation of habitable land, meaning that wide open fields exposed them to predators. As time went on, roads were developed across these fragmented rainforests. Resultantly, the cassowaries were forced to cross them to reach other food sources, creating major risks for being run over by passing cars (name, date). Along with this, humans may unknowingly hand feed them, increasing their dependence upon exterior food sources and their proximity to roads and traffic. The introduction of other species such as large packs of dogs also affect this ecological climate. By pursuing them to the point of exhaustion, these packs have hunted and killed many cassowaries. While feral pigs also pose the threat of competition by sharing the same food sources as the cassowary, along with being highly destructive creatures (name, date). These animals are also of great cultural significance to the indigenous peoples from surrounding regions, through historical practices of hunting. Though this may not be a significant threat today, it is nevertheless an important consideration