In the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, young saguaro cacti often begin life in the shade of mesquite trees; they usually die if they begin life in out in the open. This is an example of

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This is an example of facilitation, where one species (mesquite trees) provide a suitable environment for another species (saguaro cacti) to establish and grow. The shade provided by mesquite trees protects the young saguaro cacti from the harsh desert conditions and increases their survival rate.

In the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, Young Saguaro Cacti Often