Rainforest Lesson 4-7 (copy)

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.