15.2.6
Adaptations of Plants to Rainforests
How Are Plants Adapted to Tropical Rainforests?
How Are Plants Adapted to Tropical Rainforests?
Plants have adapted to the tropical rainforest biome via evolution and natural selection. The adaptations have helped them to survive among the heavy precipitation and lack of sunlight on the rainforest floor.
![Illustrative background for Buttress roots](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/fbff40c5-d8cc-403a-999b-822daa691d17/shutterstock_344009099%20(1),h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Buttress roots ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/fbff40c5-d8cc-403a-999b-822daa691d17/shutterstock_344009099%20(1),h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Buttress roots
Buttress roots
- Buttress roots are specially adapted tree roots that spread out across a very wide area and go deep underground.
- Being spread so wide and deep allows buttress roots to absorb more nutrients.
- However, they also spread out into the soil that other plants would use to absorb nutrients - so they compete with other plants for nutrients.
![Illustrative background for Waxy coating and pointed leaf tips](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/98b85e3c-e911-4e5c-8530-330e28e868d8/shutterstock_699421795,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Waxy coating and pointed leaf tips ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/98b85e3c-e911-4e5c-8530-330e28e868d8/shutterstock_699421795,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Waxy coating and pointed leaf tips
Waxy coating and pointed leaf tips
- Many leaves in tropical rainforests have a waxy coating. This helps the plants to resist the rain. Without the waxy coating, the leaves could absorb the rain and become so heavy that they would be pulled off the tree.
- The pointed leaf tips funnel the water off leaves in a single channel.
- Both of these adaptations stop the heavy rainfall from damaging the plant.
![Illustrative background for A smooth layer of thin bark](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/a73aaae9-4be7-420c-be98-522a00a22fe8/shutterstock_128451137,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for A smooth layer of thin bark ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/a73aaae9-4be7-420c-be98-522a00a22fe8/shutterstock_128451137,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
A smooth layer of thin bark
A smooth layer of thin bark
- Bark in the UK on trees like oak trees is very thick and rough.
- Tree bark usually tries to conserve water, but if anything, plants in a rainforest need to ensure that they don't absorb too much water.
- Having very smooth bark, like having a waxy coating on leaves, helps the rain to run off the tree easily.
![Illustrative background for Climbing vines/plants](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/745175b0-e58d-4e73-8a6e-388b7fcefc15/shutterstock_743209012,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Climbing vines/plants ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/745175b0-e58d-4e73-8a6e-388b7fcefc15/shutterstock_743209012,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Climbing vines/plants
Climbing vines/plants
- Lianas and other climbing vines/plants try to compete for sunlight by growing up other trees' tree trunks. This conserves energy and allows them to reach the sunlight that they need to photosynthesise and survive.
![Illustrative background for Adapted to a particular layer](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/f9f6f381-9f0b-4e75-9ea4-8cfcbcaa00e7/shutterstock_1039820983,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Adapted to a particular layer ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/f9f6f381-9f0b-4e75-9ea4-8cfcbcaa00e7/shutterstock_1039820983,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Adapted to a particular layer
Adapted to a particular layer
- There are 4 layers of flora in tropical rainforests. A plant living at each layer will adapt differently to survive:
- The top layer is called the emergent layer and this layer captures the most sunlight. Being the tallest plant matters more here.
- The lowest layer is called the forest floor. Plants are more likely to have a high surface area on their leaves to absorb the most sunlight here.
Plant Biodiversity in Tropical Rainforests
Plant Biodiversity in Tropical Rainforests
Rainforests house 50% of the known plant, animal and insect species. Plants in rainforests have adaptations to help them cope with the high rainfall and heat, as well as the competition for light.
![Illustrative background for Stable and productive environments](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-12/4b9daf8f-6e2c-41e7-ba41-3cd1b282c0b3/top-canopy-rainforest-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Stable and productive environments ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-12/4b9daf8f-6e2c-41e7-ba41-3cd1b282c0b3/top-canopy-rainforest-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Stable and productive environments
Stable and productive environments
- The consistent climate of rainforests means that:
- Rainforest ecosystems are stable because organisms don't have to cope with changing conditions.
- Rainforest ecosystems are productive because there's always lots of food.
![Illustrative background for Buttress roots](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-03/b3563e58-3086-4bd6-bc97-c47822fbc3b9/buttress-roots-tree-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Buttress roots ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-03/b3563e58-3086-4bd6-bc97-c47822fbc3b9/buttress-roots-tree-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Buttress roots
Buttress roots
- Buttress roots are big roots that support the trunks of tall trees.
![Illustrative background for Thick, waxy leaves with pointed tips](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/df223887-2a6c-476c-afb5-f5100f3fe15b/shutterstock_247416034,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Thick, waxy leaves with pointed tips ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/df223887-2a6c-476c-afb5-f5100f3fe15b/shutterstock_247416034,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Thick, waxy leaves with pointed tips
Thick, waxy leaves with pointed tips
- Having a waxy coating helps the leaves repel rain.
- Pointed tips help run-off by channelling the water to a point. This means:
- The weight of the water doesn't harm the plant.
- Fungi and bacteria can't grow as there's no standing water.
![Illustrative background for Smooth, thin bark](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/3.3.1 - Plant diseases/tree-2106115_640-min,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Smooth, thin bark ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/3.3.1 - Plant diseases/tree-2106115_640-min,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Smooth, thin bark
Smooth, thin bark
- Thick bark isn't necessary as trees aren't exposed to cold temperatures.
- Smooth, thin bark helps water run-off.
![Illustrative background for Climbing plants](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/15b61f68-c835-4783-963f-1d76c1193463/shutterstock_17515243,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Climbing plants ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/15b61f68-c835-4783-963f-1d76c1193463/shutterstock_17515243,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Climbing plants
Climbing plants
- Climbing plants (e.g. lianas) use the tree trunks to drag themselves up towards the light.
![Illustrative background for Gradual and consistent dropping of leaves](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/4c0d25e9-e964-43cd-8dd1-01ecd92d4b73/leaves-newts-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Gradual and consistent dropping of leaves ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/4c0d25e9-e964-43cd-8dd1-01ecd92d4b73/leaves-newts-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Gradual and consistent dropping of leaves
Gradual and consistent dropping of leaves
- This allows plants to continue growing year-round.
![Illustrative background for Adapted to a particular layer](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/f9f6f381-9f0b-4e75-9ea4-8cfcbcaa00e7/shutterstock_1039820983,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Adapted to a particular layer ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/f9f6f381-9f0b-4e75-9ea4-8cfcbcaa00e7/shutterstock_1039820983,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Adapted to a particular layer
Adapted to a particular layer
- There are four distinct layers of plants in tropical rainforests, each with their own special adaptations.
1Geography Skills
1.1Mapping
2Geology of the UK
2.1The UK's Rocks
2.2Case Study: The Peak District
3Geography of the World
4Development
4.1Development
4.2Uneven Development
4.3Case Study: Democratic Republic of Congo
5Weather & Climate
5.1Weather
5.1.1Weather & Climate
5.1.2Components of Weather
5.1.3Temperature
5.1.4Sunshine, Humidity & Air Pressure
5.1.5Cloud Cover
5.1.6Precipitation
5.1.7Convectional Precipitation
5.1.8Frontal Precipitation
5.1.9Relief or Orographic Precipitation
5.1.10Wind
5.1.11Extreme Wind
5.1.12Recording the Weather
5.1.13Extreme Weather
5.2Climate
6The World of Work
7Natural Resources
7.1Rocks
8Rivers
8.1River Processes & Landforms
8.2Rivers & Flooding
8.2.1Flood Risk Factors
8.2.2Flood Management: Hard Engineering
8.2.3Flood Management: Soft Engineering
8.2.4Flooding Case Study: Boscastle
8.2.5Flooding Case Study: Consequences of Boscastle
8.2.6Flooding Case Study: Responses to Boscastle
8.2.7Flooding Case Study: Bangladesh
8.2.8End of Topic Test - Rivers
8.2.9Rivers Case Study: The Nile
8.2.10Rivers Case Study: The Mississippi
9Coasts
9.1Formation of Coastal Landforms
10Glaciers
10.1Overview of Glaciers & How They Work
10.1.1Distribution of Glaciers
10.1.2Types of Glaciers
10.1.3The Last Ice Age
10.1.4Formation & Movement of Glaciers
10.1.5Shaping of Landscapes by Glaciers
10.1.6Glacial Landforms Created by Erosion
10.1.7Glacial Till & Outwash Plain
10.1.8Moraines
10.1.9Drumlins & Erratics
10.1.10End of Topic Tests - Glaciers
10.1.11Tourism in Glacial Landscapes
10.1.12Strategies for Coping with Tourists
10.1.13Case Study - Lake District: Tourism
10.1.14Case Study - Lake District: Management
11Tectonics
11.1Continental Drift & Plate Tectonics
11.2Volcanoes
11.3Earthquakes
11.5Managing the Risk of Volcanoes & Earthquakes
12Climate Change
12.1The Causes & Consequences of Climate Change
12.1.1Evidence for Climate Change
12.1.2Natural Causes of Climate Change
12.1.3Human Causes of Climate Change
12.1.4The Greenhouse Effect
12.1.5Effects of Climate Change on the Environment
12.1.6Effects of Climate Change on People
12.1.7Climate Change Predictions
12.1.8Uncertainty About Future Climate Change
12.1.9Mitigating Against Climate Change
12.1.10Adapting to Climate Change
12.1.11Case Study: Bangladesh
13Global Population & Inequality
14Urbanisation
14.1Urbanisation
14.1.1Rural Characterisitcs
14.1.2Urban Characteristics
14.1.3Urbanisation Growth
14.1.4The Land Use Model
14.1.5Rural-Urban Pull Factors
14.1.6Rural-Urban Push Factors
14.1.7The Impacts of Migration
14.1.8Challenges of Urban Areas in Developed Countries
14.1.9Challenges of Urban Areas in Developing Countries
14.1.10Urban Sustainability
14.1.11Case Study: China's Urbanisation
14.1.12Major UK Cities
14.1.13Urbanisation in the UK
14.1.14End of Topic Test- Urbanisation
14.1.15End of Topic Test - Urban Issues
15Ecosystems
15.1The Major Biomes
15.2Case Study: The Amazon Rainforest
16Life in an Emerging Country
16.1Case Studies
17Analysis of Africa
17.1Africa
17.1.1Desert Biomes in Africa
17.1.2The Semi-Desert Biome
17.1.3The Savanna Biome
17.1.4Overview of Tropical Rainforests
17.1.5Colonisation History
17.1.6Population Distribution in Africa
17.1.7Economic Resources in Africa
17.1.8Urbanisation in Africa
17.1.9Africa's Location
17.1.10Physical Geography of Africa
17.1.11Desertification in Africa
17.1.12Reducing the Risk of Desertification
17.1.13Case Study: The Sahara Desert - Opportunities
17.1.14Case Study: The Sahara Desert - Development
18Analysis of India
18.1India - Physical Geography
19Analysis of the Middle East
19.1The Middle East
19.1.1Physical Geography of the Middle East
19.1.2Human Geography of the Middle East
19.1.3Climate Zones in the Middle East
19.1.4Climate Comparison with the UK
19.1.5Oil & Natural Gas in the Middle East
19.1.6Water in the Middle East
19.1.7Population of the Middle East
19.1.8Development Case Studies: The UAE
19.1.9Development Case Studies: Yemen
19.1.10Supporting Development in Yemen
19.1.11Connection to the UK
19.1.12Importance of Oil
19.1.13Oil & Tourism in the UAE
20Analysis of Bangladesh
20.1Bangladesh Physical Geography
21Analysis of Russia
21.1Russia's Physical Geography
21.2Russia's Human Geography
Jump to other topics
1Geography Skills
1.1Mapping
2Geology of the UK
2.1The UK's Rocks
2.2Case Study: The Peak District
3Geography of the World
4Development
4.1Development
4.2Uneven Development
4.3Case Study: Democratic Republic of Congo
5Weather & Climate
5.1Weather
5.1.1Weather & Climate
5.1.2Components of Weather
5.1.3Temperature
5.1.4Sunshine, Humidity & Air Pressure
5.1.5Cloud Cover
5.1.6Precipitation
5.1.7Convectional Precipitation
5.1.8Frontal Precipitation
5.1.9Relief or Orographic Precipitation
5.1.10Wind
5.1.11Extreme Wind
5.1.12Recording the Weather
5.1.13Extreme Weather
5.2Climate
6The World of Work
7Natural Resources
7.1Rocks
8Rivers
8.1River Processes & Landforms
8.2Rivers & Flooding
8.2.1Flood Risk Factors
8.2.2Flood Management: Hard Engineering
8.2.3Flood Management: Soft Engineering
8.2.4Flooding Case Study: Boscastle
8.2.5Flooding Case Study: Consequences of Boscastle
8.2.6Flooding Case Study: Responses to Boscastle
8.2.7Flooding Case Study: Bangladesh
8.2.8End of Topic Test - Rivers
8.2.9Rivers Case Study: The Nile
8.2.10Rivers Case Study: The Mississippi
9Coasts
9.1Formation of Coastal Landforms
10Glaciers
10.1Overview of Glaciers & How They Work
10.1.1Distribution of Glaciers
10.1.2Types of Glaciers
10.1.3The Last Ice Age
10.1.4Formation & Movement of Glaciers
10.1.5Shaping of Landscapes by Glaciers
10.1.6Glacial Landforms Created by Erosion
10.1.7Glacial Till & Outwash Plain
10.1.8Moraines
10.1.9Drumlins & Erratics
10.1.10End of Topic Tests - Glaciers
10.1.11Tourism in Glacial Landscapes
10.1.12Strategies for Coping with Tourists
10.1.13Case Study - Lake District: Tourism
10.1.14Case Study - Lake District: Management
11Tectonics
11.1Continental Drift & Plate Tectonics
11.2Volcanoes
11.3Earthquakes
11.5Managing the Risk of Volcanoes & Earthquakes
12Climate Change
12.1The Causes & Consequences of Climate Change
12.1.1Evidence for Climate Change
12.1.2Natural Causes of Climate Change
12.1.3Human Causes of Climate Change
12.1.4The Greenhouse Effect
12.1.5Effects of Climate Change on the Environment
12.1.6Effects of Climate Change on People
12.1.7Climate Change Predictions
12.1.8Uncertainty About Future Climate Change
12.1.9Mitigating Against Climate Change
12.1.10Adapting to Climate Change
12.1.11Case Study: Bangladesh
13Global Population & Inequality
14Urbanisation
14.1Urbanisation
14.1.1Rural Characterisitcs
14.1.2Urban Characteristics
14.1.3Urbanisation Growth
14.1.4The Land Use Model
14.1.5Rural-Urban Pull Factors
14.1.6Rural-Urban Push Factors
14.1.7The Impacts of Migration
14.1.8Challenges of Urban Areas in Developed Countries
14.1.9Challenges of Urban Areas in Developing Countries
14.1.10Urban Sustainability
14.1.11Case Study: China's Urbanisation
14.1.12Major UK Cities
14.1.13Urbanisation in the UK
14.1.14End of Topic Test- Urbanisation
14.1.15End of Topic Test - Urban Issues
15Ecosystems
15.1The Major Biomes
15.2Case Study: The Amazon Rainforest
16Life in an Emerging Country
16.1Case Studies
17Analysis of Africa
17.1Africa
17.1.1Desert Biomes in Africa
17.1.2The Semi-Desert Biome
17.1.3The Savanna Biome
17.1.4Overview of Tropical Rainforests
17.1.5Colonisation History
17.1.6Population Distribution in Africa
17.1.7Economic Resources in Africa
17.1.8Urbanisation in Africa
17.1.9Africa's Location
17.1.10Physical Geography of Africa
17.1.11Desertification in Africa
17.1.12Reducing the Risk of Desertification
17.1.13Case Study: The Sahara Desert - Opportunities
17.1.14Case Study: The Sahara Desert - Development
18Analysis of India
18.1India - Physical Geography
19Analysis of the Middle East
19.1The Middle East
19.1.1Physical Geography of the Middle East
19.1.2Human Geography of the Middle East
19.1.3Climate Zones in the Middle East
19.1.4Climate Comparison with the UK
19.1.5Oil & Natural Gas in the Middle East
19.1.6Water in the Middle East
19.1.7Population of the Middle East
19.1.8Development Case Studies: The UAE
19.1.9Development Case Studies: Yemen
19.1.10Supporting Development in Yemen
19.1.11Connection to the UK
19.1.12Importance of Oil
19.1.13Oil & Tourism in the UAE
20Analysis of Bangladesh
20.1Bangladesh Physical Geography
21Analysis of Russia
21.1Russia's Physical Geography
21.2Russia's Human Geography
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