rainforest

nutrient cycle + adaptations + layers

nutrient cycle

how nutrients are moves around the rainforest

the 3 things

biomass (all living things in the ecosystem)

litter (dead organic material)

soil

the process

organisms die, fall to the ground

the biomass gets quickly decomposed, as hot temperature encourage bacteria,

rainfall quickly washes decomposed material into soil

nutrients made, these nutrients get absorbed by organisms

adaptations

leaf

epiphytes

trees 

buttress roots

plants

leaf

conical shape, drip trip. water falls off so nutrients can be absorbed into soil. doesnt rot plant

waxy cover

epiphytes

parasitic, taking nutrients for free, on surface of large trees absorbing light

trees

skinny, branchless, tall to maximise sunlight intake

buttress roots

above ground, as surface has more nutrients, water. this also makes the foundation more stable

plants

brights, smell nice- attractive for pollination

emergent layer

tallest trees

grow up to 60m high, due to this the most photosynthesis happens here

birds found here

canopy

up to 30m high

70% of sunlight

80% of rainfall

60-90% of wildlife found here (monkey ,birds, sloths)

under canopy

small trees- limited sunlight

animals- insects, snakes, smaller animals

forest floor

darkest and dampest part of rainforest, where decomposition takes place