Corporate Forest Field Guide
Producers:
The Smarty Fern (Plantius brainiac)
Habitat: Dark patches of swampy soil. The
darker the better. Unlike other plants, the
Plantius braniac does not need, nor want,
much sun exposure.
Diet: The Smarty Fern generally does not
require much water, although it prefers soil
rich in artificial chemicals commonly found in
Cheetos.
Predation: Although it has a generally unappealing appearance, the Smarty Fern produces
some of the most treasured and delicious berries in the forest. They are frequently eaten by
the Head Honcho and the Scuttle Mouse for their useful and tasty fruit.
Reproduction: Smarty Ferns reproduce through cross-pollination. Because the Corporate
Forest maintains a steady climate, reproduction and berry production occurs year-round.
Algae Blob (Algaeus slumbagess)
Habitat: Everywhere. Around the trees, in the grass, hiding under the leaves. To most other
creatures, the Algae Blob is a most unwanted and disgusting creature. It secretes a mucus
that coats everything, and messes up biological process.
Diet: A very demanding algae that needs everything or else it will throw a fit and spit mucus
everywhere. It needs a lot of each day to counteract all of the sun exposure it requires.
Many other organisms must sacrifice resources to the
algae in order to keep in content. Like any other plant, it
uses its chloroplasts mainly, seeing that algae lack
roots, leaves, and stems.
Predation: Only the Gucci Mosquito will dare feed in
the Algae Blob because it is a plentiful food source.
Reproduction: No one likes this pitiful slime. So, like most algae, it reproduces through
simple cell division from itself. In this way it is able to continue to grow and expand at an
alarming rate.
Consumers:
The Gucci Mosquito (Parasitis harvardus)
Habitat: Like many other species of mosquito, the Gucci Mosquito lives and breeds in
stagnant water. However, the Parasitis harvardus likes to decorate their puddles with fine
green leaves and flower petals. The flashier their home is, the more mates (and prey) they
attract.
Diet: This parasite will slowly suck the blood of any creature it possibly can. This can be the
Scuttle Mouse, or even the Algae Blob. (Although it has no blood, it still makes a tasty
snack) The Gucci Mosquito lures in its prey with a soothing call, and then pretends to
caringly groom its victim. Then, after its meal feels sufficiently comfortable, the Gucci will
swoop in for the kill. Death is painful and usually filled with regret and stress over providing
the Gucci with the nutrient payment it requires.
Predation: The Parasitis harvadus has no other predators aside from the cannibalistic
behavior of its own species. Gucci Mosquitoes have frequently been observed debating and
dueling over who can most efficiently suck the life out of its victim. The winner receives
glory and resources, while the loser is commonly swallowed back into the soil of the
Corporate Forest.
Reproduction: These things reproduce like crazy, much to the chagrin of all other
creatures. The female will lay eggs on the surface of her water home, and the most
decorated male will fertilize them. The babies always hatch in the summer, when they will
be able to find the most prey.
The Head Honcho (Corporus billionairus)
Habitat: No one knows for certain. Some say the rare
Corporus billionairus resides in large, cavernous areas
on the outskirts of the forest, while others believe they
live in the heart of the community. They are large, cat-like
creatures that are not easily pleased.
Diet: The Head Honcho is king of the forest, and is at the
absolute top of the food chain. When its Scuttle Mouse
counterparts fail to bring it large quantities of berries from
the Smarty Fern, then they will eat the mice.
Predation: See above. The Head Honcho is no one’s
dinner!
Reproduction: There are incredibly few Honchos in the
Corporate Forest, and they mate for life. However, if their
mate dies, successful males seem to have no difficulty finding another female. They also
reproduce sexually, and their babies are usually born in the spring.
The Scuttle Mouse (Rodentis managerus)
Habitat: The Scuttle Mouse lives in underground burrows where it can easily hear
approaching predators. Its name comes from its fast and speedy behavior.
Diet: The scuttle mouse feeds mainly on Smarty Ferns and their berries.
Predation: The Scuttle Mouse lives in a symbiotic relationship with the Head Honcho. The
Honcho will provide the Mouse with protection, if the mouse is able to find lots of Smart
Fern berries to provide. Gucci Mosquitos will occasionally lure in Scuttle Mice with promises
of more berries.
Reproduction: Scuttle mice reproduce sexually
and give birth to live young. Their babies grow up
very sheltered and well fed in the underground
tunnels.
Decomposer: The Grumble Mushroom (Fungi janitorialis)
Habitat: This mushroom sprouts on anything dead, from
Scuttle Mice to Algae Blobs. Usually, after the Head Honcho
has had a dispute with his Scuttle Mice, or is annoyed by the
Gucci Mosquitos and goes on a hunting spree, the Grumble
Mushroom will slowly come in and clean up the mess. They
slightly resemble a mop.
Diet: Anything dead and in need of decomposing. These mushrooms are vital to the
ecosystem since they restore nutrients to the soil and clean up unsightly messes.
Predation: None.
Reproduction: Spores. The Mushroom will release its spores into the air, where they will
later land and sprout.
Abiotic Factors:
The Corporate Forest is a temperate forest environment with temperatures ranging from
about 20 degrees in the winter to 90 degrees in the summer. It receives a considerable
amount of rain at about 65-70 inches a year. The forest consists of different areas in which
different organisms live. For instance, the Smarty Fern likes the swampier areas which have
poor drainage at the base of hills, while the scuttle mouse requires dry land for its
underground tunnels. The Corporate Forest has generally pleasant and tolerable weather
with light winds and occasional overcast. But its interesting location between two other
extreme climate zones means that its weather can quickly turn for the worse.
Relationships:
The Head Honcho and the Scuttle Mouse have a mutualism relationship, because they both
benefit from each other. The Scuttle Mouse brings berries and food, and in turn the Head
Honcho provides protection.
The poor Smarty Fern and its berries are sought after by many organisms. (predator-prey)
The Gucci Mosquito is a parasite, meaning it benefits at the cost of an organism, to several
animals including the Algae Blob and the Scuttle Mouse.