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