For more than just kissing

摘要

The ecological impact of mistletoe plants-proposed to be keystone species crucial to ecosystem health-has been quantified. This is the first such attempt for any keystone species. Mistletoes (Loranthaceae; pictured) provide fruit and nectar, as well as nesting and roosting sites for animals such as birds and insects. David Watson and Matthew Herring at Charles Sturt University in Albury, Australia, removed mistletoes from 17 woodland sites in the state of New South Wales in 2004.