What is the key consequence of the woolly monkey's heavy fruit consumption for the wider forest ecosystem?
Answer
They play a vital role in seed dispersal throughout the forest
Because woolly monkeys consume large quantities of fruit and then move extensively throughout the canopy, they become unintentional but critical agents of forest regeneration. As they digest the fruit pulp and carry seeds away from the parent plant before defecating, they effectively distribute the seeds across wide areas of the forest. This process, known as seed dispersal, is essential for maintaining the species diversity and structure of the Amazonian ecosystem. This ecological service is a direct byproduct of their specialized frugivorous feeding strategy.
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