Tropical Rainforests

• Natural Vegetation.


  Plants that grow naturally in an area without human intervention.
• Characteristics of Tropical Rainforest.

  Receives abundant sunlight and high annual rainfall throughout the year resulting in dense and luxuriant vegetation.
• Characteristics of Tropical Rainforests.

  Plants continuously grow new leaves throughout the year to replace older ones.
• Characteristics of Tropical Rainforests.

  • Undergrowth layer receives very little sunlight.
  • Vegetation is sparse except where there are gaps.
  • Smaller plants can grow in the shades.
  • Seedlings of the taller trees will take advantage of the gaps by growing upwards quickly.
• Definition of a Tropical Rainforest.

  A type of natural vegetation found in many areas that experience the Tropical Climate.
• Type of structure Tropical Rainforest.

  Vertical
• • Highest layer: Emergent
  • Middle layer: Canopy
  • Lowest layer: Undergrowth
• Broad leaves.

  • Large surface area.
  • Absorb maximum sunlight to make food for survival.

  
• Waxy surface.

  • Glossy appearance.
  • Reduce loss of transpiration.
  • Rate of transpiration is high due to high temperature.

  
• Drip tip.

  • Small & narrow pointing downwards.
  • Combined with waxy surface, allows water to flow off easily.
  • Due to high rainfall, this is important.
  • Prevents growth of fungi/bacteria by drying quickly.

  
• Buttress roots.

  • Keeps trees upright and prevent toppling over.
  • Can grow up to 5 metres above ground surface.
  • Shallow underground roots to absorb nutrients on ground surface as quickly as possible.