Why do areas with more plant species support greater animal diversity in the Ituri Forest?

In the Ituri Forest, areas characterized by a greater variety of plant species support more abundant and diverse animal life because they provide a wider range of habitats, food sources, and cover.1

While some parts of the forest are dominated by only a few hardwood legume species—resulting in less diverse animal populations—other regions are botanically mixed. These mixed areas, along with a mosaic of habitats created by natural features and human-led slash-and-burn cultivation, offer diverse ecological niches. This structural complexity, which includes various successional stages of forest, river valleys, and clearings, allows for a greater density and variety of mammals, birds, and other fauna to thrive.1

Ultimately, maintaining high plant species richness is essential for sustaining a functioning ecosystem, as diverse communities provide the necessary resources and resilience to support complex webs of animal life.2