Durva Chandrashekhar Kamat

LA4015-2

The contrasting strategies of Ficus benghalensis and Ficus racemosa reveal their distinct ecological roles. F. benghalensis begins as an epiphyte, eventually strangling its host to dominate ecosystems with expansive canopies, as seen in Bara Bigha. While it stabilizes soil and provides habitats, its dominance reduces biodiversity and disrupts ecosystem balance. Conversely, F. racemosa grows terrestrially, fostering coexistence and biodiversity. Its clustered fruits support wildlife and seed dispersal, serving as a keystone species. With F. benghalensis favoring dominance and F. racemosa promoting coexistence, these growth patterns highlight the need for managing forests sustainably to balance short-term stability with long-term ecological resilience.