Why this killer tree is the lifeblood of the Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon rainforest is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, but hundreds if not thousands of species here rely on one species in particular... And it just so happens to be a tree killer.
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MOSSY EARTH MEMBERSHIP
===============================
The rewilding membership that restores nature across a wide range of ecosystems.
🌲 Support a diversity of ecosystems
🐺 Rewild habitats to bring back biodiversity
🦫 Fund neglected species & ecosystems
Learn more and become a member here: mossy.earth
⏱️TIMESTAMPS⏱️
0:00 Intro
1:32 The 'Strangler' part of the name
2:30 Feeding the rainforest
4:30 Peculiar pollinators
6:00 Keystone species?
6:25 More benefits
7:07 The trees strike back
8:09 More than meets the eye
8:34 Our rainforest project
9:10 Next time...
🔎 ABOUT THIS PROJECT
===============================
Back in August 2023 we purchased a section of rainforest in Ecuador along the border of the Yasuni National Park, and the team has been busy with lots of logistics and on-the-ground work since! Our area protects around 200 hectares (including the buffer zones around the river) and consists of land with various levels of exploitation, from clear-cut fields to almost virgin rainforests.
We're yet to fully introduce this project, but more will be coming out soon so keep an eye out for that. We can't wait to share more with you!

[@MossyEarth]

The videos about our Amazon project will be coming soon! In the meantime enjoy this story about the strangler fig and if you want to support our work please consider becoming a member here: www.mossy.earth/ - Cheers, Duarte

[@TheNightshadePrince]

Please do projects in the American rust belt next. :)

[@r.guerreiro140]

Is it related to the "figueira mata pau" from southern Brazil? Anyway, the last tree I saw dead in the jungle was killed by some kind of vine It just covered the whole canopy and took all the sunlight out of it It seems to me that the target of this kind of parasitism is the wood structure that the tree takes years to build, then the vine comes and uses it for a few seasons

[@lolo2221]

"When the birds sh..sh... make poopoo" 10/10 amazing recovery my friend. Keepin' it PG.

[@AndrewBlucher]

As if children don't know what comes out of their bum.

[@schmittydtty6580]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who caught that.

[@itsrachelfish]

Hahahaha YES 🤣

[@Hungary_0987]

?

[@schmittydtty6580]

He was about to say what some may call a no no word.

[@altioar]

3:15: Haha "When the birds shi- shi- uh make poop somewhere"

[@MossyEarth]

Fredy doing his best to be a polite man! - Cheers, Duarte

[@einar0801]

he thought about it hahahaha

[@austinaldy2150]

Fredy never let his intrusive thoughts win 😂

[@aaronprice1497]

Came to say this, haha.

[@ethanotoroculus1060]

@@austinaldy2150 LMAOO also mood!!!!

[@benmurray8921]

respect to the guy at 3:20 for holding back on saying shit

[@MossyEarth]

😂 much control! - Cheers, Duarte

[@rebeccaaaaaaaac]

Him trying not to swear gave me a giggle

[@purplexninjamom]

"Life is precious, but so is death. Both must be respected" - Farah Dowling, Fate - the Winx Saga.

[@MossyEarth]

It has its role! - Cheers, Duarte

[@dlln.1353]

Never imagined I see somebody quoting the Winx Saga. Awesome.

[@purplexninjamom]

@@dlln.1353thanks. just watched it hours before.

[@hunterhq295]

A cycle of balance, death enables new life to grow.@@MossyEarth

[@leandersearle5094]

@@dlln.1353 You were expecting something more like: "It's the ciiiirlllle, the ciiirllle of liiiiiiife!"

[@ThatDevilBear]

i especially love strangler fig whose host tree is completely gone. absolutely stunning!

[@MossyEarth]

Its one of those clear pieces of art that nature can create! - Cheers, Duarte

[@robsonclark9678]

Its the huge tree from Fern Gully!

[@overthecounterbeanie]

"I don't care a fig for you" - the strangler fig to its victims, probably.

[@MossyEarth]

Probably 😂 - Cheers, Duarte

[@Oberon117]

Im currently a student biologist/ecologist studying at the Univeristy of Hull. You're doing some incredible work by spreading and explaining key terms such as "keystone species". Fantastic work!

[@MossyEarth]

Glad you enjoyed this video! Good luck with your degree :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@Oberon117]

@@MossyEarth I did! Thank you for all the work you guys are doing. As soon as im not poor ill be donating to you, and thank you!

[@heehoopeanut420]

Yes, pages like this that bridge the gap between academia and the everyday person who loves the planet are invaluable❤❤ Knowledge is useless if we have no way to share it and make it understood.

[@joelmayer1018]

Fun fact: You can also use the Strangler Gig inm the field of engineering biology. For example, if you want to stabilize a slope near or of a river, you plant it with host-trees an they root really deep and dense. The earth is then held back as if by a grid.

[@aclassicguardsman946]

Right. I heard you could use large pieces of metal to do the same thing, in case trees aren't available for whatever reason.

[@hanifanzak]

They can also be used as a living bridge. In West Sumatra, Indonesia there's a bridge made by connecting the roots of 2 fig trees over the river.

[@heehoopeanut420]

A neighbor of ours growing up had a beautiful piece of land near the main road into town, and by the road there was a lot of erosion. They set up mess to hold the seedling in place, and removed it once the plants the added were rooted enough to hold themselves, and the soil, in place! So refreshing to see people make their land not only beautiful, but healthy too.

[@christycullen2355]

They grow bridges out of fig trees in india as well.

[@sandraleung7218]

Fig trees perform the exact same ecological functions here in Hong Kong! Additionally, some Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa) sprout from the crevices of traditional granite retaining walls, burgeoning into magnificent giants that shelter us from the sweltering summer sun. The ‘Stonewall Trees of Hong Kong’ are so unique that they were featured in BBC’s the Green Plant (2022), which my friend contributed to :D

[@DAMfoxygrampa]

That's super cool!

[@AnthemUnanthemed]

"then when the birds shi... shi.... make poop" 🤣🤣🤣 emergency filter engage!

[@MossyEarth]

😂

[@Ermude10]

The barkless tree looks like a tree that's actually enjoyable to hug! :D

[@timeneses]

I’m glad you’re covering one of my favorite plants! The importance of the Abraço-da-Morte is commonly only treated as a parasitic plant in many places around here.

[@MossyEarth]

Exactly! Yet it is incredibly important! - Cheers, Duarte

[@drillerdev4624]

Man, each new name I learn for this tree becomes creepier than the last

[@fionafiona1146]

Just because it's parasitic doesn't mean it's bad

[@drillerdev4624]

@@fionafiona1146 a parasite is harmful to the host by definition. Otherwise, it'd be considered a symbiotic relationship

[@Solstice261]

Lack of deadwood is becoming a real problem for ecosystems so I find it really important to appreciate this parasitic plants, In addition i always found strangler figs really interesting despite not knowing much about it so this is really interesting, as always, really good work. In addition, I just found it can be called matapalo, literally stick killer and I love that name. And I bet the next one is the dear and (in)famous quebarantahuesos ( I'm Spanish, i do not know the translation) A beautiful bird that suffers greatly from the removal of carcasses and the fear that it can prey on livestock.

[@simonbarrow479]

The bird is a bearded vulture in English or gypaète barbu in French

[@Solstice261]

@@simonbarrow479 thank you for the info

[@JadeTheNB]

You guys are like one of my favourite channels, cinematography is amazing and your projects are even better :D, keep up what you do :)

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Greg! That means a lot to us! - Cheers, Duarte

[@LeaveCurious]

Love this series! Those stranglers are epic, can't wait to see these Amazon project videos!!

[@MossyEarth]

Thanks Rob! - Cheers, Duarte

[@PaulCoxC]

The hollow trunk looks so cool

[@MossyEarth]

I wish we had one of those on our land! - Cheers, Duarte

[@tiagodezoeten2557]

The amazon is just insane.. this is just one of the interactions happening in that crazy web of life and there are surely so many we don't yet have a clue about. Super interesting video, well done team!

[@MossyEarth]

Excited to tell all sorts of stories about this crazy web of life in the coming years :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@TheFunkySlothGamer]

I love this channel so much. I’m 14 rn but I want to be a wildlife biologist or a career similar to that. Basically I want to work in nature.

[@mattwilson8298]

3:17 he wanted to say shit so bad 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheGrace020]

Thank you for posting Mossy Earth love what you do for our earth 😻 💗

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you! Enjoy the video :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@TheGrace020]

Already have 😻Take care have a day as awesome as you :) @@MossyEarth

[@MossyEarth]

haha thanks! You're boosting team morale here!

[@TheGrace020]

Endearing to hear you all deserve the best

[@anniehill9909]

Absolutely fascinating. Strangler fig trees are like extraordinary sculptures after their host has died and really beautiful. It's good to hear that they play a really important role, in spite of their destroying other trees.

[@zahven]

That's probably the coolest tree I've ever seen. Thanks for covering this

[@HelyaRavn]

This was so interesting! I especially liked the shot of the interwoven structure of the fig tree, where the host plant was already gone

[@PaulCoxC]

Really interesting addition to our keystone species series, and great to see some glimpses of some of the filming from Ecuador!

[@MossyEarth]

Excited to show the rest!

[@abaciuci]

thank you to everyone involved

[@barry7608]

As a fellow inhabitant of this beautiful world I thank you for your video and efforts in conservation. Astounding complexity that just can't be lost, we need to halt the destruction of ALL old growth forest and I give what support I can from here in Australia. Take care

[@FloydGreen-kt1cy]

Another amazing video, thanks for the sidenote of the naked tree.

[@gunnarcolleen2400]

Great video! Y’all are quickly becoming some of my favorite nature documentary videos out here

[@crabjunie]

this was a really interesting and informative video! so wondrous in fact that i got surprised when the outro rolled around “wow, it’s done already?” 😅 you hooked me in so deep i didn’t even realize it haha

[@tuams]

I really enjoy the education part of these videos. Knowledge creates even more amazement about nature and the efforts you do!

[@joschuaknuppe5849]

Wonderful series!

[@MotherNaturesEdge]

Thank you for spreading awareness! I love learning about keystone species. Our world is far more complex than many could even comprehend. I find myself in awe. Your channel gives voice to the voiceless

[@veldawells2839]

So educational. Having studied conservation (very long time ago), it's so lovely to hear the terminology and know what Mossy Earth peeps are talking about. Extremely interesting. Everything is interlinked, and key species are so important. Good luck with the project.

[@michaellawson6533]

As a beekeeper I find the symbiosis in the ecosystems absolutely fascinating and so fine tuned.

[@PatrikInNature]

Footage in this video is just spectacular! I can't wait for the next video in the Amazon forest series 😊

[@c0niferal]

Seen teasers of the Amazon stuff you guys are doing for a while, excited to see more :)

[@MossyEarth]

We're really excited to show you the whole project! The six videos should do it justice :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@edi9892]

What surprises me is that it avoids the problem of the low in nutrients soil by going somewhere where it even finds less?

[@dankonesovic8437]

Fascinating. Great job, ME, for spreading the word. 🎉

[@jaggernute6678]

Awesome video as usual

[@lucid2957]

I have been thinking about strangler figs recently so it's very nice to get to learn about them more!

[@fiobri]

Very lovely video!

[@twistablesful]

As an Ecuadorian myself and subscriber for a while now, its really cool and exiting to see that you giys have projects here. Eventhou we are a small coutry our biodiversity is so unique and interesting! I hope i get to meet you guys if you ever pass though Quito for a while. ( Not yet a member but i do want to eventually subscribe and get to see all the ibfo about all the different projects)

[@ValerioCordeirodosSantos.]

E VOCÊ ACREDITA OH BOBALHAO INOVENT3 ACREDITA NOS PROJETOS DESTES YANKES E EUROPEUS INFELUZES.

[@simonbarrow479]

Great video. It’s great that Mossy Earth bought some forest.

[@cameroonkendrick6312]

We got these here in Florida in the hammock areas along the coast, or in oak hammocks where tropical plants and animals meet temperate plants and animals. It is sick, you should do a video on the varying kinds of forests here in the sunshine state 😏😉

[@DeinosDinos]

That one quick shot of a cane toad reminded me of when I was in Costa Rica and also saw a cane toad in the middle of a nighttime jungle walk and after a very brief 'oooh you bastard' I had to quickly remind myself that it's the humans' fault that Australia's ecosystem is as messed up as it is, and at any case that big chungus was precisely where they were supposed to be. Not related to the video which is fascinating but there we are.

[@raclark2730]

This is entirely anecdotal speculation. However I live in NQ and have noticed fewer toads and toad spawning's than in the past. As well as many specimens that appear to be sickly and listless. Seams like something may be going on with them to me. 🤞

[@waxon2]

Thank you for the very educational video on this amazing fig and its valuable impact on the rainforest. It is so important to learn more about this species-dense ecology and hopefully preserve it.

[@timurozkurt5239]

Love this featured species and super cool to see some of the crazy complexities explained!

[@Gwydda]

Interesting video as always

[@bs5167]

I love seeing him hug that tree. Keep it up everyone. Thank you, I love you all ❤

[@elihyland4781]

What an incredible video and channel❤️⚡️

[@saram8102]

I'm so excited to see how the Amazon project develops!

[@Cornflower20]

So interesting!!

[@matthewdavies5875]

Every day is a school day and I learnt a lot today.

[@MossyEarth]

Glad you enjoyed the video Matt!

[@hauntedmilk8540]

Never fail to learn something when watching a Mossy Earth video!

[@Matraskul]

Keep up the good work.

[@charlottescott7150]

brilliant knowledge.

[@Heothbremel]

Ecosystems are so fascinatingly complex...

[@user-vl2to9pv7j]

good work guys

[@rinrat6754]

You provide a wonderfully clear story that makes the concept of keystone species really understandable. I am heavily involved with beaver coexistence in Alberta. We try to take a very similar approach when advocating for beavers and water on the land. It's always useful to see others do it better than you. Thanks for some new story ideas.

[@CapeLifePlayer]

Great video, very insightful about a species that would be viewed more as a pest than critical aspect of a ecosystem

[@tdu2supersport]

cool new project!

[@ronniew3028]

So grateful the Amazon has such amazing stewards to protect and honor it. MANY THANKS! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@thewildlifemaster5300]

Nice 😎👍🏾 I did a vlog in Tobago where we found a forest full of that Fig tree but they already killed the host trees so we was able to climb down inside the tree it was amazing 😁💯

[@Johan_Steffensen]

Cool vid

[@RP-mm9ie]

fantastic

[@sergiogg25]

Great job, guys! Honestly, this is one of my favourite projects, please keep buying more land there with our money! 😍

[@knpark2025]

Those fig trees are so fascinating. They may seem more visceral and visible when one of them replace another tree in its place, because we can see them literally strangle the host to death. But when we think about how succession works in temperate (or any other mature) forests, the fig is doing the same job, on a tree-to-tree basis, that birch or oak trees could do across a whole forest. We don't call oak trees killers just because they starve pine trees of sunlight. Fig trees like those might as well be contributing to an ideal rainforest. *We may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like.*

[@soumakbinduwildlife]

excellent

[@brauliofernandesss]

I hope to one day show MossyEarth my semideciduous seasonal tropical forest!

[@BrentHollett]

The Strangler Fig in Australia serves a similar purpose

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

Oh that is really thick

[@Ghostpants.]

Now i wanna visit Ecuador

[@dyannejohnson6184]

What a beautiful lesson - symbiotic existence….cannot “think” to evolve….therefore created

[@sspectre8217]

There's "strangler" trees here in Costa Rica too, they are pretty cool. I've rarely found one where the host tree is gone like you showed but to be fair I leave in the city so it's not like I see one of those every month

[@mr.lonewolf8199]

Death is just circle of new life . Another golden video Mossy earth

[@Gerhelco1]

You are doing amazing work, love what you are doing with all of our contributions! Any chance your involved in projects that promote connectivity between protected areas?

[@Elbslayer]

so interesting that a tree parasite can provide so much life to other organisms. especially the uncycled blooming and fruiting seasons make a totally difference.

[@joaquimbarbosa896]

It really is a curious and interesting species

[@fladder1]

I had no idea the soil in the Amazon rainforest was so poor. I always thought it had a very rich soil. Learn something new everyday!

[@justsomehaatonpassingby4488]

Here in the Philippines, the Strangler Fig is not only known to support different species of animals, it also supports different species of cryptids and supernatural beings... from the fabled half-horse half-man called "Tikbalang", to the elf like people known as "Engkanto", and the Giant with a knack for tobacco called "Kapre"... it even houses the spirits of the people that died a horrible death especially road accidents... it truly is a keystone species

[@refragerator]

Another vulture video coming next? Oh yeaaaah, can't wait! This one was really interesting too, though. I figure it's important to have the Strangler Fig around (as was discussed in this video) but it's also important to have an eye on it so it never gets out of hand?

[@TheKatarinaGiselle]

3:15 my favorite part 😂 I have to watch it like 10 times! 😂😂😂

[@jasonbullock2816]

I hope it all works out 😊😊

[@benmcreynolds8581]

It kinda reminds me of predators. Humans have always struggled with wanting to get rid of any scary predators but we've been learning HOW IMPORTANT they are to their ecosystems. This tree situation reminds me of that a lot.

[@sgbbco3981]

How many USD$ to secure another 200 hectares adjacent to this lot? Love what you're doing. Thank you. Thanks to everyone who donates, financially, hourly, etc. It all counts and is for a greater purpose. We have taken so much from the planet. The very least we can do is fight to preserve what is left of it.

[@gardencodes91]

The ficus trees often extend the standing life of old trees they grow over. As a large tree ages, it often gets damages, rot points, snapped branches ect... Usually a good site for ficus tree germination. The "Strangle" isn't a fast process, rather a slow process over time.. In some cases it doesn't kill the tree..They just continue to grow together.

[@julianescobar2395]

In Colombia we have that tree. There is a huge one, around 10m high. You can imagine how big the other one was

[@Tarquin2718]

Wauw this is Attenborough worthy ❤

[@etheric_dissonance]

a perfect example of nature's intelligence at work! we humans have a lot to learn

[@jollyjokress3852]

They energy in those rainforests is unsurpassed. They are the peak of lifeforms.

[@CoolAsFreya]

The fig family is really interesting as they grow REALLY fast but with very light non-dense wood that can't support its own weight after a certain height. Our fig tree is always dropping big branches but it keeps growing quicker than we can trim it back!

[@TaLeng2023]

Maybe they can support themselves if the form is right? Saw vids of bridges in India made out of living strangler figs.

[@peasinourthyme5722]

Figs are astonishing! The way they provide enormous amounts of food all year round. The fruit itself, of course, so rich in nutrients and flavour. The way they grow, creating all kinds of strange, otherworldy shapes. Check out the figtree bridges of India! Before now knowing there are killer figs, I thought of them as generosity manifest. I think I still do.

[@PeopleAreFish]

Never heard of stranger figs before but honestly they look so beautiful

[@user-fu6ke9lo2z]

What a amazing ecosystem the Amazon realy is!

[@ecocodex4431]

3:17 "And when the birds shi- shi- ...make poop" 🤣

[@taguato2000]

The fig tree family (Matapalos and allies) is very important and widespread in the amazon and on other south american forests, it is a shame and a testament to the moral charge we humans put on tree species the fact that is seen as a "bad" tree and is almost never planted on restoration schemes, this is, luckyly and thanks to the work of many people, changing.

[@apveening]

It is also one of the few species that can colonize reforestations pretty quickly by itself thanks to the large numbers of berries with small, sticky seeds in the figs.

[@TaLeng2023]

It seems that humans in general just don't like things we'd consider parasites. For example many people dislike cuckoos.

[@leopardtiger1022]

We have this stranger fig tree many in Kerala, India. They are also in Angkor Watt in Cambodia. They. Are really amazing they seem to have brains.

[@rjschapink]

Does mossy earth fly a lot? I see the same faces in a lot of places. Don't mean this in a wrong way, really the content on the YT channel and the awesome and inspiring work the organisation does!

[@nicemustang]

random question, but what map did you use at 0:16. It looks so nice. Also, great video! very informative and great video footage! Loved it!