Adaptation to Tropical Rainforests

• Adaptation

  The evolutionary process where an organism becomes better able to live in its habitat(s). Species adapt to their ecosystem's conditions.
• Parrot Adaptations to the Tropical Rainforest.

  • Bright colours to warn off species.
  • Strong, curved beak to crack nuts.
  • Two toes pointing forwards and two pointing backwards to hold onto branches.
  • Use their beak like another limb when climbing vertically.
  • Flock together to confuse other predators.
• Give 4 examples of plant adaptations to live in tropical rainforests.

  • Fan palms
  • Buttress roots
  • Lianas
  • Strangler fig
• Fan palms

  Separated leaves to drain excess water.

  Large, fan-shaped leaves to absorb sunlight and catch water.
• Buttress roots

  Shallow roots to collect nutrients from the shallow layer of fertile soil (topsoil).

  Stretch up to 2m up the trunk to help anchor and support the tree.
• Lianas

  Woody vines starting at ground level and using trees to climb up to the canopy.

  Spread from the tree to get as much light as possible.
• Strangler fig

  Seed is dropped in a nook at the top of the tree using collected debris as nourishment.

  Sends aerial roots to the ground to take root.

  Surround host tree with its branches/roots in a criss-cross pattern to 'strangle' the host.

  Invasive roots - robs the host of nutrients as the fig grows.

  Eventually the host dies and decomposes, leaving the hollow, sturdy strangler fig trunk.