# (see picture) (bolded numbers have community descriptions)

Explanation

1

Walking nearly upright allows it to dash to a tree and quickly reach the top. The small size of the organism allows greater speed (agility). These organisms eat nuts, grass, and small water-dwelling life. Quick reproductive cycles allow rapid influx on organisms into this community.

2

The exoskeleton protects the organs from most danger. The claws allow the rootsucker to dig for roots. The rootsucker removes useless roots, processes root-stored energy, and leaves valuable droppings that other species have grown to rely on for sources of food. Communities of rootsuckers are commonly found near water sources, as the rough ground where there is little water does not allow for digging towards roots (not that a root will always grow without water).

3

The beak aides in killing prey. The long ears enhance hearing capacities. The sensitive whiskers and tail serve as an early warning system. In the process of gaining those advantages, this organism lost long-range vision. These organisms tend to attack rootsuckers. Anything that is found in a hole is eaten. Like the ancient vulture, this organism does not hesitate to steal another organism's winnings. Although it will steal another's prey, it will flee a site when a nightstalker comes into the scene.

4

An organism like a bush was selected over less protective plant-life. This bush has a unique adaptation. Due to the lack of consist food sources, it usually grows into the roots of trees. (The trees are generally larger and more able to gather resources.) Plays a role similar to that of a tree. Provides protection ot other organisms. Supports smaller life.

5

A long beak serves as a tool. Webbed feet aide the organism in swimming. Walking on land allows a primitive form of hunting, with the possibility of running to water for hiding, only resurfacing when need-be. Considered a fish by some predators. Eats rodents.

6

Because this organism can be swept into the wind at any time, the species evolved to meet the demand of going for food without weeks. Being efficient in food-processing, it also tends to be quicker than most land animals, even while on the land. Swimming capabilities allow this organism to capture food when no land is near. Eats fish, grass. It is not uncommon to find seeds growing from mineral-rich feces. Rodents tend to attack/eat communities of these organisms.

7

The long legs allow further traveling. Light, fragile bone structure allows quick healing, though does not protect the organism from the larger creatures of the area. This low maintenance requirement is why this species tends to be selected over heavy-boned versions. Eats fish. Instinctively guards passages across rivers, in turn, promoting different populations of a same species to evolve (separation of genes). Eaten by rootsuckers when venturing too far into land (if at all).

8

This long living creature has strong defensive advantages. The size of the organism also provides advantage. This creature is mostly harmless, and selected for its intelligence (resembling that of a modern-day elephant that supposedly “never forgets”). Eats nightsalkers. Trims grass. Stomps on small rodents. Herds of these are potentially deadly to an entire ecosystem.

9

Selected for superior spatial coordination. Produces a rabid disease that makes itself uniquely wild/mad. This disease can be spread to victims. Victims that escape spread the disease to a larger population. This is a definite advantage for this organism. Eaten by larger animals. Instinctively attacks anything that moves. Eats tree-dwellers and some forms of sea-life. Nightstalkers roam in social units. They eliminate large populations quickly, though must always be watchful of threats. Other communities have adapted over many generations to have members of the population fearful of the nightsalker. Some species now instinctively attack nightstalkers. The nightsalkers, however, have developed some form of coordination (which has lead to, basically, stronger social units).

10

The trunk was selected for its ability to dig for food and grab more grass than the no-trunks. Active aggressive behaviors have led this species to have more reproducing members. Eats nightsalkers. Fights large neighbors. Destroys grass lands.

11

Dwelling in trees has led to competitive advantages against stalkers/hunters. This organism has superior hearing and can easily escape (or avoid) a nightstalker. Attempts to drive out large animals. Eats leaves, grass. Eaten by the night stalker.

12

Mobile, agile, and intelligent. This organism will eat only certain berries. Because of only eating those specific berries, it keeps populations of certain plants severely limited. Without this limit, the populations of the other creatures would explode in member-count. Keeps particular tree populations low. Nests in trees. Unfortunately unstable population.

13

This organism hangs from trees because no organism has yet developed an expectation of predators hanging from trees. Eating the rotten bark on trees keeps the trees in a moderately more healthy condition. Digging holes around the roots of trees gives a storage place for foods. When these foods are not retrieved, some grow into the trees or bushes from which they came (seeds). Eats smaller animals. Replants trees, bushes (though not on purpose). Helps maintain trees. This increases the general life-span of a tree when viewed on the grand-scale, though without this organism, the tree does not have this help in expanding the average life-span, and is relatively helpless.

14

Attaches to trees in an attempt to get free meals. Eyes allow it to find other locations for eating. Selective pressures forced this type of creature to develop the hairs (see the picture), which allow the organism to stick to the tree on a `whim' - as opposed to be permanently connected with the tree. Takes energy from trees. Spreads organic material from “A to B” (and then maybe back to “A”). Sometimes protects and repairs trees. This, again, adds to the average-life span of trees when viewed on a grand-scale. Coming from the ancient starfish, these creatures regenerate themselves to “bud” new offspring. This is a drain on an ecosystem's resources and will cause some organisms' death in another area. This is a sort of take-over by the community of these starfish-like organisms.

15

Finally, the actual tree. This type of tree is much larger than an average tree found in Texas. The larger size allows the tree to reach higher and expose its leaves to more sunlight. Massive roots dig into the ground and sometimes stop minor earthquakes from occurring (due to the connecting of tectonic plates, however minor). Generates most of the free oxygen. Supports other niches. Unique niche not filled by animals. As a community, they are nonmobile as adults. So, these communities do not move. Once they are placed somewhere, they stay. Very many organisms are dependent on the life and existence of a community of tree-like organisms.