Eucalyptus trees are a dominant species in some forests. Thesetrees can be effected by a root rotting disease caused by a fungallike protist called Phytophthora. Where this disease is presentindividual trees in the forest die over a period of several years.Often the majority of surrounding trees are not affected. It isobserved that in such forests there are a greater number of plantspecies that grow in the clearings created by the dead trees andmore animal species as well. What role is the Phytophthora pathogenplaying in this situation and what is your hypothesis forexplaining the greater species diversity in this instance?
