Adaptations of Plants to 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Buttress roots

Buttress roots are big roots that support the trunks of tall trees.

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.

Smooth, thin bark

Thick bark isn't necessary as trees aren't exposed to cold temperatures.
Smooth, thin bark helps water run-off.

Climbing plants

Climbing plants (e.g. lianas) use the tree trunks to drag themselves up towards the light.

Gradual and consistent dropping of leaves

This allows plants to continue growing year-round.

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

1.1.1Map Making

1.1.2OS Maps

1.1.3Grid References

1.1.4Contour Lines

1.1.5Symbols, Scale and Distance

1.1.6Directions on Maps

1.1.7Describing Routes

1.1.8Map Projections

1.1.9Aerial & Satellite Images

1.1.10Using Maps to Make Decisions

1.2Geographical Information Systems

1.2.1Geographical Information Systems

1.2.2How do Geographical Information Systems Work?

1.2.3Using Geographical Information Systems

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Geography Skills

2Geology of the UK

2.1The UK's Rocks

2.1.1The UK's Main Rock Types

2.1.2The UK's Landscape

2.1.3Using Rocks

2.1.4Weathering

2.2Case Study: The Peak District

2.2.1The Peak District

2.2.2Limestone Landforms

2.2.3Quarrying

3Geography of the World

3.1Geography of America & Europe

3.1.1North America

3.1.2South America

3.1.3Europe

3.1.4The European Union

3.1.5The Continents

3.1.6The Oceans

3.1.7Longitude

3.1.8Latitude

3.1.9End of Topic Test - Geography of the World

4Development

4.1Development

4.1.1Classifying Development

4.1.2GDP

4.1.3Evaluation of GDP

4.1.4The Human Development Index

4.1.5Population Structure

4.1.6Developing Countries

4.1.7Emerging Countries

4.1.8Developed Countries

4.1.9Comparing Development

4.2Uneven Development

4.2.1Consequences of Uneven Development

4.2.2Physical Factors Affecting Development

4.2.3Historic Factors Affecting Development

4.2.4Human & Social Factors Affecting Development

4.2.5Breaking Out of the Poverty Cycle

4.3Case Study: Democratic Republic of Congo

4.3.1The DRC: An Overview

4.3.2Political & Social Factors Affecting Development

4.3.3Environmental Factors Affecting the DRC

4.3.4The DRC: Aid

4.3.5The Pros & Cons of Aid in DRC

4.3.6Top-Down vs Bottom-Up in DRC

4.3.7The DRC: Comparison with the UK

4.3.8The DRC: Against Malaria Foundation

4.4Case Study: Nigeria

4.4.1The Importance & Development of Nigeria

4.4.2Nigeria's Relationships with the Rest of the World

4.4.3Urban Growth in Lagos

4.4.4Population Growth in Lagos

4.4.5Factors influencing Nigeria's Growth

4.4.6Nigeria: Comparison with the UK

5Weather & Climate

6The World of Work

6.1Tourism

6.1.1Landscapes

6.1.2The Growth of Tourism

6.1.3Benefits of Tourism

6.1.4Economic Costs of Tourism

6.1.5Social, Cultural & Environmental Costs of Tourism

6.1.6Tourism Case Study: Blackpool

6.1.7Ecotourism

6.1.8Tourism Case Study: Kenya

7Natural Resources

7.1Rocks

7.1.1What are Rocks?

7.1.2Types of Rock

7.1.3Fuel

7.1.4The Rock Cycle - Weathering

7.1.5The Rock Cycle - Erosion

7.1.6What is Soil?

7.1.7Soil Profiles

7.1.8Water

7.1.9Global Water Demand

7.2Fossil Fuels

7.2.1Introduction to Fossil Fuels

7.2.2Fossil Fuels

7.2.3The Global Energy Supply

7.2.4Oil

7.2.5What is Peak Oil?

7.2.6End of Topic Test - Natural Resources

8Rivers

9Coasts

9.1Formation of Coastal Landforms

9.1.1Weathering

9.1.2Erosion

9.1.3Headlands & Bays

9.1.4Caves, Arches & Stacks

9.1.5Wave-Cut Platforms & Cliffs

9.1.6Waves

9.1.7Longshore Drift

9.1.8Coastal Deposition

9.1.9Spits, Bars & Sand Dunes

9.2Coast Management

9.2.1Management Strategies for Coastal Erosion

9.2.2Case Study: The Holderness Coast

9.2.3Case Study: Lyme Regis

9.2.4End of Topic Test - Coasts

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

11.1.1The Theory of Plate Tectonics

11.1.2The Structure of the Earth

11.1.3Tectonic Plates

11.1.4Plate Margins

11.2Volcanoes

11.2.1Volcanoes & Their Products

11.2.2The Development of Volcanoes

11.2.3Living Near Volcanoes

11.3Earthquakes

11.3.1Overview of Earthquakes

11.3.2Consequences of Earthquakes

11.3.3Case Study: Christchurch, New Zealand Earthquake

11.4Tsunamis

11.4.1Formation of Tsunamis

11.4.2Case Study: Japan 2010 Tsunami

11.5Managing the Risk of Volcanoes & Earthquakes

11.5.1Coping With Earthquakes & Volcanoes

11.5.2End of Topic Test - Tectonics

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

13.1Global Populations

13.1.1World Population

13.1.2Population Structure

13.1.3Ageing Populations

13.1.4Youthful Populations

13.1.5Population Control

13.1.6Mexico to USA Migration

13.1.7End of Topic Test - Development & Population

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

15.1.1Distribution of Major Biomes

15.1.2What Affects the Distribution of Biomes?

15.1.3Biome Features: Tropical Forests

15.1.4Biome Features: Temperate Forests

15.1.5Biome Features: Tundra

15.1.6Biome Features: Deserts

15.1.7Biome Features: Tropical Grasslands

15.1.8Biome Features: Temperate Grasslands

15.2Case Study: The Amazon Rainforest

15.2.1Interdependence of Rainforest Ecosystems

15.2.2Nutrient Cycling in Tropical Rainforests

15.2.3Deforestation in the Amazon

15.2.4Impacts of Deforestation in the Amazon

15.2.5Protecting the Amazon

15.2.6Adaptations of Plants to Rainforests

15.2.7Adaptations of Animals to Rainforests

16Life in an Emerging Country

16.1Case Studies

16.1.1Mumbai: Opportunities

16.1.2Mumbai: Challenges

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

18.1.1Geographical Location of India

18.1.2Physical Geography of India

18.1.3India's Climate

18.1.4Natural Disasters in India

18.1.5Case Study: The Thar Desert

18.1.6Case Study: The Thar Desert - Challenges

18.2India - Human Geography

18.2.1Population Distribution in India

18.2.2Urabinsation in India

18.2.3The History of India

18.2.4Economic Resources in India

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

20.1.1Location of Bangladesh

20.1.2Climate of Bangladesh

20.1.3Rivers in Bangladesh

20.1.4Flooding in Bangladesh

20.2Bangladesh Human Geography

20.2.1Population Structure in Bangladesh

20.2.2Urbanisation in Bangladesh

20.2.3Bangladesh's Economy

20.2.4Energy & Sustainability in Bangladesh

21Analysis of Russia

21.1Russia's Physical Geography

21.1.1Russia's Climate

21.1.2Russia's Landscape

21.2Russia's Human Geography

21.2.1Population of Russia

21.2.2Russia's Economy

21.2.3Energy & Sustainability in Russia

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