Tropical rainforest structure LO: To understand the structure of the Rainforest To understand how plants and animals are adapted to the conditions within the Tropical rainforest  Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

Using only evidence from the diagram above, describe three characteristics of the natural vegetation in areas of tropical rainforest.  Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

Structure of the rainforest The dominant plants in a rainforest are giant trees. The hot wet climate enables them to grow all year round, and they remain evergreen, continuously shedding their leaves and growing new ones. The average height of rainforest trees is about 45 metres, although the emergence (trees which tower above the others) may go as high as 90 metres. Smaller trees growing the under story (layer between the canopy and the forest floor). Several layers can be identified within the forest  Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

45 Emergent tree canopy 40 35 30 25 Canopy layer of Middle layer 20 15 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Emergent tree canopy Canopy layer of Middle layer Under canopy Shrub/small tree layer  Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools Ground vegetation

Rainforest layers Emergent layer, trees can be 200 feet high. Most trees are broad-leaved, hardwood evergreens. Sunlight is plentiful up here.  Animals found are eagles, monkeys, bats and butterflies. Canopy layer forms a roof over the two remaining layers.   Most trees have smooth, oval leaves that come to a point. It forms a very dense layer. Food is abundant for animals including snakes, toucans and tree frogs Under canopy. Little sunshine reaches here so the plants have to grow larger leaves to reach the sunlight.   The plants in this area seldom grow to 12 feet.  Many animals live here including jaguars, red-eyed tree frogs and leopards and many insects. Forest floor. It's very dark here and so no plants grow here,  Things begin to decay very quickly.  A leaf that might take one year to decompose in a regular climate will disappear in  6 weeks. Giant anteaters live in this layer.  Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

Emergent layer, trees can be 200 feet high Emergent layer, trees can be 200 feet high. Most trees are broad-leaved, hardwood evergreens. Sunlight is plentiful up here.  Animals found are eagles, monkeys, bats and butterflies.  Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

Canopy layer - formed by the crowns of the tall trees and contains a mass of branches, Leaves, flowers and fruit. Conditions in the canopy vary, and include: Hot sunshine Heavy rainfall Tropical storms Canopy layer forms a roof over the two remaining layers.   Most trees have smooth, oval leaves that come to a point. It forms a very dense layer. Food is abundant for animals including snakes, toucans and tree frogs  Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

Conditions within the forest on more or less constant: Middle layer (under canopy)- the Vegetation here is more sparse. The trees tend to have pointed crowns and, when a giant tree falls, they grow quickly to fill a gap in the canopy Conditions within the forest on more or less constant: There is little variation in temperature The air is moist and still Rain on the canopy drips to the forest floor several minutes later A breeze is rare, even during storms Little sunshine reaches here so the plants have to grow larger leaves to reach the sunlight.   The plants in this area seldom grow to 12 feet.  Many animals live here including jaguars, red-eyed tree frogs and leopards and many insects.  Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

Forest floor It's very dark here and so no plants grow here,  Things begin to decay very quickly.  A leaf that might take one year to decompose in a regular climate will disappear in  6 weeks. Giant anteaters live in this layer.  Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

And the enormous the number of different species of plants grow in Rainforest plants And the enormous the number of different species of plants grow in rainforests, with many species occurring only in one particular region. Unlike other forests, rain forests have an abundance of : Epiphytes plants which live above the ground growing on tree trunks and branches, Example orchids, ferns, mosses Climbing plants including large woody climbers called lianas which are rooted in the soil and usually reach the canopy. The climbers twist around the tree trunks, and loop from one tree to another in the canopy, binding the trees together.  Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

leaves protects against hot sun, heavy rain, and strong winds Strong scent of fruits attracts animals, which feed on the fruit and assist in dispersal of the seeds Thick, waxy surface of leaves protects against hot sun, heavy rain, and strong winds Strong scent and bright colours of flowers attract insects which assist in pollination Aerial roots of epiphytes absorb moisture from the air Tall straight trunks no side branches Thin, smooth bark Shallow spreading root system Buttress roots  Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

Pitcher plant - a carnivorous plant. Parasitic plant slippery rim tendril Orchid - sun-loving roots attached themselves to branches and absorb nutrients Insects falling into the pitcher are digested, and nutrients which are released are absorbed by the plant.  Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools

Explain the relationship between the natural vegetation characteristics and the climate of the tropical rainforest.  Tom Abbot, Biddulph High School and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools