if all fungi in an environment were to suddenly die, then which group of organisms is most likely to benefit, due to the fact that its fungal competitors have been removed?
If all fungi in an environment were to suddenly die, then which group of organisms is most likely to benefit, due to the fact that its fungal competitors have been removed?
Answer:
If all fungi in an environment were to suddenly die, the group of organisms most likely to benefit are bacteria. Fungi and bacteria often compete for similar resources, such as organic matter in soil. With the elimination of fungi as competitors, bacteria would have less competition for resources, allowing them to thrive and multiply. This could lead to an increase in bacterial populations in the absence of fungi. Bacteria play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, decomposition, and symbiotic relationships with other organisms, so their proliferation could have wide-reaching effects on the ecosystem.