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Key Term Match Up 
1. Fauna
A. A large ecosystem
2. Ecosystem
B. Area around the equator
where rainforests are
located
3. Flora
C. Animals in the rainforest
4. Biome
5. Equatorial
region
D. A community made up of
living organisms
(plants/animals). E.G.
rainforest or a desert.
E. Plants in the rainforest
How are plants adapted to the
TRF?
Lesson 6
Lesson Objective:- To investigate the challenges faced by
plants living in a tropical rainforest and the creative solutions
they develop to overcome these challenges.
Lesson Outcome
By the end of today’s lesson you will be able to:• To be able to describe and explain the nutrient cycle
• To know what adaption means
• To describe and explain how plants (flora) adapt to the
rainforest.
The Nutrient Cycle
Draw this diagram into your
books
Using the
information
complete
the diagram
The roots quickly
take up the nutrients
again.
The decomposers
release the nutrients
from them.
The soil underground is poor
because the nutrients do not get
a chance to sink in.
Dead leaves and
animal waste fall
out all year round.
The nutrients
help the
vegetation grow.
Decomposer – Bacteria or a worm that breaks down dead leaves for
nutrients
The Nutrient Cycle
The nutrients
help the
vegetation grow.
Dead leaves and
animal waste fall
out all year round.
The roots quickly
take up the nutrients
again.
The decomposers
release the nutrients
from them.
The soil underground is poor
because the nutrients do not get
a chance to sink in.
Write a paragraph explaining
how the nutrient cycle
works
With the use of
the video clip
complete your
worksheet.
Remember the more you
listen and watch, the more
information you will collect,
the easier your next lesson
will be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=C1Ib0-BlBKU
Types of leaves in the rainforest
Drip tip leaves
allow the rain to
drip off them
Sharp edges
prevent
(stops)
animals from
eating them
Thick waxy
coated leaves
protects
against rain
and insects
Larger leaves
grow in the
shrub layer.
This is to trap
as much light
as possible
Group rotation
Your group will have 5
minutes with each learning
mat - it is your responsibility
to find out the details
before the mat is passed on!
Why?
Plant
Adaptation
Reason
Sketch
On you piece of paper make at
least five questions you could ask
someone about rainforest plants
Swap your questions, then answer
them!
Remember to write in full sentences
with detail
List three adaptations which you think are the
most important and why
1)
2)
3)
Resources
Plants of the
Rainforest
More than 2/3rds of the worlds plant species
are found in tropical rainforests. Due to the
amount of competition for light and food
plants have evolved and adapted to allow
them to survive in the rainforest.
Epiphytes
Epiphytes, or air plants, have adapted to grow on the
branches, trunks, and even the leaves of trees. They feed
on the rain and nutrients from rotting leaves. There is too
much competition for light and nutrients in the shrub
layer.
Different types of epiphytes may grow on the same tree. They begin their life in
the canopy from seeds or spores transported there by birds or winds.
Buttress Roots
Most rainforest soil is very poor with all the nutrients
available largely remaining at surface level. Because of this
rainforest trees have very shallow roots.
Some very tall trees have formed buttress roots, which
grow out from the base of the trunk (sometimes as high as
15 ft above the ground). These extended roots spread out
and increase the area over which nutrients can be absorbed
from the soil.
Plants of the Rainforest
Lianas
Lianas have thick, woody stems. They begin life on the forest
floor and depend on trees for support for survival. They
attaching themselves to trees with sucker roots and grow
upwards with a younger tree. They also climb towards the
sunlight by winding themselves round the tree's trunk.
When they reach the top of the canopy they often spread to
wrap around other lianas. This network of vines gives support
against strong winds to the shallow-rooted, top-heavy trees.
Strangler Fig
The seed of the strangler fig starts life as an epiphyte
high in the trees. It is transported here by birds and
monkeys which eat the fig fruit. The seedling fig sends
down long roots to the ground from where it begins to
surround the host tree. It grows quickly and eventually
suffocates the host: when the host tree dies it leaves an
enormous upright strangler with a hollow core.
By using an adult tree as its host, the strangler fig avoids
competition for light and nutrients at ground level.
Plants of the Rainforest
Bromeliads
Bromeliads are related to the pineapple family. Their thick,
waxy leaves form a bowl shape in the centre for catching
rainwater. Some bromeliads can hold several gallons of
water and are miniature ecosystems in themselves
providing homes for several creatures including frogs and
their tadpoles, salamanders, snails, beetles and mosquito
larvae. Those that die decompose and furnish the plant
with nutrients.
This means that they don’t need to compete against other
plants, as much for, water, sunlight and nutrients.
Saprophytes
Saprophytes act as the rainforests decomposers, they are
very small and work very fast to compete against the heavy
rainfall which constantly washes away nutrients on the
forest floors. Decomposers work in the warmth and
wetness and can often break down dead animals and
vegetation within 24 hours.
Decayed matter contains essential nutrients like iron,
calcium, potassium and phosphorous all of which are
necessary to promote healthy rainforest growth. Without
them the trees would not receive enough nutrients.
Plants of the
Rainforest
More than 2/3rds of the worlds plant species
are found in tropical rainforests. Due to the
amount of competition for light and food
plants have evolved and adapted to allow
them to survive in the rainforest.
Epiphytes
Epiphytes (air plants),grow on the branches, trunks, and
leaves of trees.
They feed on the rain and nutrients from rotting leaves.
There is too much competition for light and nutrients in
the shrub layer.
They begin their life in the canopy from seeds or spores transported there by
birds or winds.
Buttress Roots
Most rainforest soil is very poor with all the nutrients
available largely remaining at surface level (at the top
of the soil). Because of this rainforest trees have very
shallow roots.
Some very tall trees have formed buttress roots, which
grow out from the base of the trunk (sometimes as high as
15 ft above the ground). These extended roots spread out
and increase the area over which nutrients can be
Plants of the Rainforest
Lianas
Lianas have thick, woody stems. They begin life on the
forest floor and depend on trees for support for survival.
They attaching themselves to trees with sucker roots and
grow upwards with a younger tree. They also climb towards
the sunlight by winding themselves round the tree's trunk.
When they reach the top of the canopy they often spread
to wrap around other lianas. This network of vines gives
support against strong winds to the shallow-rooted, topheavy trees.
Strangler Fig
The seed of the strangler fig starts life high in the
trees. It is transported here by birds and monkeys
which eat the fig fruit. The seedling fig sends down long
roots to the ground from where it begins to surround
the tree. It grows quickly and eventually suffocates the
tree: when the host tree dies it leaves an enormous upright
strangler with a hollow core.
By using an adult tree, the strangler fig avoids competition
for light and nutrients at ground level.
Plants of the Rainforest
Bromeliads
Bromeliads are related to the pineapple family. Their
thick, waxy leaves form a bowl shape in the centre for
catching rainwater. Some bromeliads can hold several
gallons of water. They providing homes for several
creatures including frogs and their tadpoles, snails, and
beetles. When the creatures die the plant uses them for
food.
This means that they don’t need to compete against
other plants, as much for, water, sunlight and nutrients
(food).
Saprophytes
Saprophytes act as the rainforests decomposers (they
break down the dead leaves), they are very small and
work very fast to compete against the heavy rainfall
which constantly washes away nutrients on the forest
floors. Decomposers work in the warmth and wetness and
can often break down dead animals and vegetation within 24
hours.
Decayed matter contains essential nutrients like iron,
calcium, potassium and phosphorous all of which are
necessary to promote healthy rainforest growth. Without
them the trees would not receive enough nutrients.