How might Parasaurolophus be considered an ecosystem engineer in its environment?
Answer
By consuming so much woody and fibrous material, it would significantly alter the landscape by clearing undergrowth.
Given the colossal quantity of plant matter—potentially hundreds of pounds daily—that had to pass through an animal of the Parasaurolophus's size, its feeding habits would inherently reshape the local habitat. By consuming significant amounts of woody and fibrous vegetation, it effectively managed the density of the flora, clearing undergrowth and impacting the structure of the plant communities around it. This high consumption rate made it a major factor in altering the landscape, thus qualifying it as an ecosystem engineer.
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