South African Fynbos Food Web
Terrestrial
Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands & Scrub
Western Cape, South Africa
Description
The Cape Floristic Region is the world's smallest plant kingdom, with over 9,000 plant species on a landmass smaller than Portugal. Fynbos shrublands are fire-dependent, with many proteas requiring fire for seed release. Despite low mammal diversity, the food web features specialized nectar-feeding birds, tortoise seed dispersers, and a rich invertebrate community.
Trophic Pyramid
Level 5
Decomposers
Fynbos fungi
Soil bacteria
Millipedes
3 species
Level 4
Tertiary Consumers
Caracal
Martial eagle
2 species
Level 3
Secondary Consumers
Cape cobra
Black eagle
Mongoose
3 species
Level 2
Primary Consumers
Cape sugarbird
Geometric tortoise
Vlei rat
3 species
Level 1
Producers
King protea
Ericas
Restios
3 species
Apex Predators
Tertiary Consumers
Secondary Consumers
Primary Consumers
Producers
Key Interactions
- Cape sugarbirds pollinate proteas and defend nectar territories aggressively
- Fire triggers mass seed release in serotinous proteas and ericas
- Geometric tortoises disperse seeds of myrmecochorous plants through gut passage
- Argentine ants have invaded and disrupt native seed dispersal by displacing native ants