A good example of a wasp! Acacia also help each other.
South African biologist van Hoven of the University of Pretoria, studying the causes of the mass deaths of kudu antelope living in the Kruger National Park. Their deaths occurred due to eating acacia leaves.
Analysis of the stomach contents of dead antelopes showed that the leaves of acacia, which they ate, grew the concentration of tannin - a toxic substance that destroys the liver of animals. Consequently, acacia protect themselves from animals if emits more tannin.
It turned out that not only deters acacia animal itself, but also prevents other trees of the risks they face. When herbivores attack on one acacia, others Acacia are rapidly increasing in their leaves tannin concentration.
When antelope chew the leaves, ethylene is released, which is carried by the wind. A high concentration of ethylene used for other trees to increase signal tannin in the leaves. That is why the "eating of" acacia antelope kudu leads to "poison" the leaves of the neighboring trees, in the direction of the wind, which acts as a physical carrier signal.
We may use them for building materials, fiber, food, etc.
"Collecting plants, it is necessary to apologize for the harm caused to them and to assure them that day and your own body will serve them food."
Carlos Castaneda. Journey to Ixtlan.
