Interdependence between animals and plants

Living organisms depend on each other in various ways and this enables them to survive in their environment. Animals depend on plants for food and oxygen. Plants depend on animals for carbon dioxide, pollination, seed dispersal and nutrients when they decay. Only plants produce their own food by using inorganic substances such as water, carbon dioxide and light energy from the sun. This makes plants a major source of food, including starch, protein, sugar and fats.

Food is stored in different parts of plants like roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. Animals that feed on plants get various nutrients from them. Animals which feed on plants only are called herbivores. Examples of herbivores are cattle, goats, antelopes, elephants and wildebeest. Human beings also eat plants or plant products such as vegetables, sugarcane, cassava, taro, groundnuts, beans, maize, sorghum and fruits. Therefore, human beings cannot survive without plants.

Animals' dependence on plants for food

Plants and animals maintain the right proportion of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere which enables them to live. This is because plants produce oxygen during photosynthesis. The oxygen gas is used by animals in breathing. In addition, animals breathe out carbon dioxide, which is taken up by plants during photosynthesis.

Plants also depend on different types of animals such as insects and burrowing animals like mice and rats which live in soil. These animals help to break down soil particles and mix soil, thus increasing soil aeration. The air in the soil is used by plant roots during breathing. Plants also depend on nutrients from animal dung. When animals and plants die and decompose they release nutrients back into the soil. The decomposition of plants and animals is caused by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

The nutrients released from decomposed plants and animals are used again by plants. Some animals such as birds build their nests on trees using grass and tree leaves. Therefore, in the absence of grass and trees, some birds will lose their habitat. The forest environment is a good habitat for animals such as monkeys and chimpanzees

Interdependence between animals and plants