Sumatran Tropical Rainforest Food Web
Terrestrial
Tropical & Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Sumatra, Indonesia
Description
Sumatra's tropical rainforests support three critically endangered large mammals: the Sumatran tiger, orangutan, and rhinoceros. These forests are among the most rapidly deforested on Earth due to palm oil and pulpwood plantations. The loss of these megafauna disrupts seed dispersal and herbivore control throughout the food web.
Trophic Pyramid
Level 5
Decomposers
Termites
Tropical fungi
Dung beetles
3 species
Level 4
Tertiary Consumers
Sumatran tiger
Sunda clouded leopard
2 species
Level 3
Secondary Consumers
Reticulated python
Sun bear
Binturong
3 species
Level 2
Primary Consumers
Sumatran orangutan
Sumatran rhinoceros
Sambar deer
3 species
Level 1
Producers
Dipterocarp trees
Strangler figs
Rafflesia arnoldii
3 species
Apex Predators
Tertiary Consumers
Secondary Consumers
Primary Consumers
Producers
Key Interactions
- Sumatran tigers are solitary apex predators requiring vast forest territories
- Orangutans disperse seeds of large-fruited trees that smaller animals cannot handle
- Strangler figs are keystone species fruiting asynchronously to feed frugivores year-round
- Deforestation for palm oil fragments tiger habitat and increases human-wildlife conflict