question # 1 **Species Interactions and Effects:**This interactive exercise helps students explore species interactions by matching each interaction with the effect the first species has on the second. An example is given: "phainopepla → velvet mesquite" refers to an action performed by the phainopepla affecting the velvet mesquite.**Instructions:**Drag and drop options on the right-hand side to match with the corresponding interaction on the left-hand side.**Interactions:**1. **Phainopepla → Velvet Mesquite** - **Effect:** Steals nutrients and causes death of limbs.2. **Velvet Mesquite → Phainopepla** - **Effect:** Provides a place to nest.3. **Desert Mistletoe → Phainopepla** - **Effect:** No effect.4. **Phainopepla → Desert Mistletoe** - **Effect:** Provides nitrogen and nutrients.5. **Velvet Mesquite → Desert Mistletoe** - **Effect:** Dispersal of seeds.6. **Desert Mistletoe → Velvet Mesquite** - **Effect:** Provides fruit to eat.This setup encourages understanding of ecological relationships and the role of each species in its environment.

Species interact and consequently influence one another. Interactions between species can be direct or indirect, and they can have good or negative consequences. Since species interact, both directly and indirectly, any changes to one species—such as population size, health, or geographic distribution—will most likely impact other species. Interactions between species also generate evolutionary changes that influence their capacity to survive and reproduce across several generations.Phainopepla is a unique bird of mesquite habitat, and its diet includes berries and insects. Velvet mesquite is a desertic tropical perennial tree. Desert mistletoe is a parasitic plant that feeds on the host plant. Like other plants, mistletoe has chlorophyll and is capable of photosynthesis. However, it depends on its host, usually mesquite trees, for water and nutrients to survive. Mistletoe, which is popular among birds, spreads when its incredibly sticky seeds are placed on other host plants by the birds after consuming the plant's berries. Phainopepla - Velvet mesquite - No effect Velvet mesquite - Phainopepla - Provides a place to nest Desert mistletoe - Phainopepla - provides fruit to eat Phainopepla - Desert mistletoe - Dispersal of seeds Velvet mesquite - Desert mistletoe - Provides nitrogen and nutrients Desert mistletoe - Velvet mesquite - Steals nutrients and causes death of limbs