The incredible diversity of the Amazon rainforest is made possible by the web of life that sustains this delicate environment.
The incredible diversity of the Amazon rainforest is made possible by the web of life that sustains this delicate environment. Different species fill distinct ecological roles that balance the rainforest ecosystem. Predators like jaguars, anacondas, and harpy eagles help regulate herbivore and prey populations. Massive anteaters, sloths, river dolphins, and thousands of other species keep insect populations in check. Butterflies, bees, birds, and bats serve vital pollination roles. On the forest floor, fungi, bacteria, and earthworms breakdown organic matter and enrich the soil. Nutrients get cycled throughout the lush habitat, supporting new growth through photosynthesis in the abundant greenery.