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.