Plant adaptations in tropical rainforest

• Adaptation


  A characteristic of a living thing that helps it survive in its environment
• Due to the density of plants, there is fierce competition for survival in the tropical rainforest
• Plants in the tropical rainforest

  • Have special adaptations that allow them to grow and thrive
  • These adaptations are shown in the diagram below
• Fast-growing trees


  • Kapok
• Fast-growing trees


  • Out-compete other trees to reach the sunlight
  • Called emergents
• Leaves


  • Many have a drip tip to allow water to flow off easily
  • Many leaves have the ability to turn to face the sun
• Bark


  • Thin and smooth to allow water to flow down easily
• Buttress roots


  • Massive ridges help support the base of the tall trees
  • Help transport water and oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange by increasing the surface area
• Epiphytes


  • Can live on branches high in the canopy to seek sunlight
  • Obtain nutrients from water and air rather than soil
• Lianas


  • Woody creepers rooted to the ground but carried by trees into the canopy where they have their leaves and flowers
• Drip tip leaves allow water to flow off easily