8 Questions
What is the purpose of drip tips on leaves in the rainforest?
To allow water to run off quickly without damaging the leaves
How do epiphytes in the rainforest obtain their nutrients?
From the air and water, not from the soil
What is the function of buttress roots in the rainforest?
To provide support for large trees
What type of roots do trees and plants in the rainforest have to absorb nutrients?
Shallow-reaching roots
In the Gersmehl model, which nutrient store is described as huge in tropical rainforests?
Biomass
Why is the biomass nutrient store largest in tropical rainforests according to the Gersmehl model?
High temperatures, high rainfall, and long growing seasons promote rapid growth and accumulation of biomass
Why is the soil nutrient store relatively small in tropical rainforests according to the Gersmehl model?
High rainfall encourages leaching and rapid uptake of nutrients from the soil
Why is the litter nutrient store small in tropical rainforests according to the Gersmehl model?
High temperatures and moisture levels result in fast decomposition of litter
Study Notes
Rainforest Adaptations
- Drip tips on leaves in the rainforest serve to remove excess water, reducing fungal growth and promoting water runoff.
Epiphyte Nutrient Acquisition
- Epiphytes in the rainforest obtain their nutrients from the air, rain, and debris that collects on their leaves and stems.
Buttress Roots
- Buttress roots in the rainforest provide stability and support to trees on shallow, nutrient-poor soils.
Root Systems
- Trees and plants in the rainforest have shallow, spreading roots to absorb nutrients from the soil.
Gersmehl Model: Nutrient Stores
- In the Gersmehl model, the biomass nutrient store is described as huge in tropical rainforests.
- The biomass nutrient store is the largest due to the rapid growth and high biomass production in tropical rainforests.
- The soil nutrient store is relatively small in tropical rainforests because nutrients are quickly absorbed by plants or lost through leaching.
- The litter nutrient store is small in tropical rainforests because of rapid decomposition and nutrient cycling.
Test your knowledge of rainforest plant adaptations with this quiz. Explore how plants have evolved to thrive in the warm, wet climate of the rainforest and the unique strategies they use to survive.
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