So I’m developing a planet, and had a vague idea of an ecosystem very similar to ours, except there are no bugs or pollinators. What changes would have to made for that idea to work? Would the planet be still be breathable for humans? (kinda vital to the story .-.)
Like I said in the title, plants are not my expertise and I’d be really grateful if anyone would be willing to brainstorm with me.
If you could have a way to artificially maintain the plant life without them, it could work. Otherwise seeds won't be distributed and life won't be sustained properly.
You could somehow incorporate a way for the plants to have a metallic structure of some kind, and make them rely on something in the air like small traces of iron
Hmm. Okay, what if there was something organic that took the place of bugs?
You also have to consider from the beginning. If they need that stuff to survive, then they need a naturally occurring source. So did all the plants die? Or is there something besides plants that gives them what they need.
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Hmmm… I feel like this just means there aren't really going to be flowering plants, but plants can still survive. Pollen can be carried through wind and other natural phenomena, and for some plant species, there isn't pollen, but instead spores (carried by wind usually) and flagellated plant sperm that swims through water and relies on wet areas or damp soil to spread and reproduce. There were plants on earth long before there were pollinators, so yes, there can absolutely be plenty of plants to keep the planet breathable.
However, if you still want flowering plants, you can have birds as pollinators, maybe. Maybe create new species to do it.
Okay! Thanks guys!
You'd have no fancy flowers because there's no need to attract animal pollinators, but other than that, you're practically unlimited. (Many plants even self-pollinate.) Here's a blog post for inspiration: https://hummingdinosaur.wordpress.com/2014/09/21/fruit-for-dinosaurs-botany-for-paleoartists-part-ii/ (Here's all parts https://hummingdinosaur.wordpress.com//?s=botany&search=Go)
Wait, I got distracted by the "pollinators." An ecosystem without any bugs (I'm assuming you mean things resembling insects or arthropods in general) is in no way very similar to ours. They make up most of the diversity in practically all earthly ecosystems. I'm not sure what changes would have to be made but probably a lot.
I was mostly focusing on pollinators too. It is a different planet, and the main idea for it was that both it and earth started out with similar prehistoric life, but this planet took a different turn in evolution. I guess that’s what I meant by similar .-.
Oh okay, if it's mostly the pollinators you were worried about, you're good :)
Okay! Thank you for the links!