Rainforest Lesson 4-7 (copy)

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38 Terms

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Nutrient cycling
The process through which nutrients are transferred between different stores in an ecosystem.
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Litter
Decaying/dead plant material on the forest floor that contributes nutrients to the soil.
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Biomass
Living plant material, such as trees and shrubs, that stores nutrients before they are returned to the soil as litter.
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Decay
The process by which litter breaks down and releases its nutrients to the soil.
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Leaching
The process where rainwater washes nutrients down and out of the soil.
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Run off
The process when rainwater removes nutrients from the litter.
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Fall out
The process that occurs when biomass loses its leaves, adding nutrients to the litter.
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Weathering
The process by which rocks decompose, adding nutrients to the soil.
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Plant adaptations
Features that organisms develop to survive in different environments.
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Buttress roots
Roots that stabilize trees and help absorb nutrients from thin rainforest soils.
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Drip tips
Leaf adaptations with a waxy surface that allow excess rainwater to run off easily.
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Epiphytes
Plants that grow on other plants to obtain sunlight without harming them.
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Nocturnal living
An adaptation where animals are active at night to avoid competition for resources.
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Picky eating
A dietary strategy that reduces competition by allowing some animals to consume specific foods that others cannot.
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Camouflage
A technique used by animals to blend into their environment and avoid predation.
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Poison dart frog
A small frog that possesses potent venom, deterring predators with its bright coloration.
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Prehensile tails
Tails that allow animals to grasp and swing from branches, functioning as a fifth limb.
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Mimosa pudica
A plant that wilts its leaves when touched to deter predators and prevent waterlogging.
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Rainforest soil
Soil that is nutrient-poor and thin, making it unsuitable for farming.
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Convectional rainfall
Rainfall caused by the rapid heating and cooling of the atmosphere, often occurring in rainforests.
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Balsa tree
The fastest growing tree in the rainforest.
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Photosynthesis
The process through which plants convert sunlight into energy.
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High rainfall
A characteristic of rainforests that contributes to their humid climate.
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Two percent
The approximate amount of sunlight reaching the forest floor, limiting plant growth.
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Competition for resources
The rivalry among plants and animals for limited resources such as light, nutrients, and water.
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Rainforest biodiversity
The high variety of species that exist in rainforest ecosystems, with around 50% of known species residing in them.
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Fast decay rates
The rapid breakdown of organic material in rainforests due to warm, moist conditions.
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Erosion
The process by which soil is worn away, often exacerbated by deforestation.
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Algae
Simple aquatic organisms that can block sunlight when they grow on plant leaves.
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Canopy
The upper layer of the rainforest formed by the tops of trees, which is rich in biodiversity.
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Plant roots
Structures in plants that absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
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Surface nutrients
Nutrients that remain close to the soil surface and are readily available to plants.
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Old tree mortality
The death of mature trees that creates space for new plants to grow.
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Rainforest coverage
Rainforests cover approximately 2% of the Earth's surface.
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Competition for sunlight
The struggle between plants to access limited sunlight in dense forests.
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Adaptation examples
Specific features like leaf angling or bright flower petals that assist plants in competition.
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Survival features
Physical characteristics that help species thrive in their specific habitats.
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Enzymatic decomposition
The breakdown of organic matter by microbes and enzymes, aiding nutrient acquisition.