Geog tmr btw

What are drip tips and how do they work?

Elongated, pointed leaf tips that channel heavy rainwater down to flow/run off quickly. Prevents leaves from becoming too heavy and snapping, while stopping the growth of harmful fungi and mold.

Why do rainforest plants have drip tips?

Prevents leaves from becoming too heavy and snapping, while stopping the growth of harmful fungi and mold.

What is the waxy leaf cuticle and how does it work?

Smooth, slick, shiny coating on leaf surface that repels water droplets, forcing them to slide off. Prevents water accumulation so the leaf surface stays dry to maximize photosynthesis.

Why do rainforest leaves have a waxy cuticle?

Prevents water accumulation so the leaf surface stays dry to maximize the process of photosynthesis.

What are broad and green leaves?

Large, expansive leaf blades found primarily in the understory layer that spread out horizontally across a wide area.

Why do understory plants have broad, green leaves?

Captures maximum ambient sunlight to optimize food production via photosynthesis on the dark forest floor.

What are tall and thin tree trunks?

Long, straight woody stems with very few lower branches that grow rapidly upward in a straight column to reach high layers.

Why do rainforest trees grow tall and thin?

Outcompetes lower forest vegetation to successfully reach essential sunlight in the canopy layer.

What is smooth and thin bark?

Outer structural covering of rainforest trees that provides a very slick surface shedding moisture easily.

Why do rainforest trees have smooth, thin bark?

Thin bark is enough due to no threat of cold weather, and the smooth texture lets water flow down to the soil.

What are buttress roots?

Large, plank-like wooden ridges growing above the ground that widen the tree base to distribute weight tension.

Why do rainforest trees have buttress roots?

Supports exceptionally tall trees and anchors them firmly within the very shallow rainforest topsoil.

What are shallow, widespread roots?

A horizontal network of roots growing near the surface that spreads out widely across topsoil rather than digging deeply vertically.

Why do rainforest trees have shallow, widespread roots?

Rapidly absorbs dissolved nutrients from decaying matter before daily torrential downpours wash them away.

What are lianas?

Thick, heavy woody vines rooted firmly in the forest floor that climb and wrap around host tree trunks.

Why do lianas grow the way they do?

They twine up to the canopy to find bright sunlight without needing to grow their own heavy trunks.

What are colourful flowers and sweet-smelling fruits?

Brightly colored petals and strongly scented nectars that release powerful aromas and display vibrant visual cues.

Why do rainforest plants have colourful flowers and sweet-smelling fruits?

Because the dense canopy blocks the wind, the air is still requiring animals to actively assist in pollination.

What are carnivorous plants like pitcher plants?

Modified, cup-shaped leaves containing specialized digestive fluids that lure insects with sweet nectar into a slippery pitfall trap.

Why do carnivorous plants exist in rainforests?

Because the surrounding soil is heavily leached and nutrient-poor, they extract vital nutrients from digested prey to live.

What are prop and stilt roots?

Branched, looping roots growing out from lower trunks and branches that arch outward and downwards to embed firmly into coastal mudbanks.

Why do mangroves have prop and stilt roots?

Provides critical structural stability and anchorage against heavy tidal currents and incoming waves.

What are pneumatophores (breathing roots)?

Pencil-like or cone-shaped vertical roots growing upward from the mud that break through the mud surface to remain exposed above water.

Why do mangroves have breathing roots?

Takes in vital oxygen from the atmosphere so root cells do not suffocate in the waterlogged mud.

What is root-level salt exclusion?

Specialized internal filtration membranes within root cells that act as a high-pressure filter to block mineral salts at the boundary.

Why do mangroves exclude salt at the root level?

Actively exclude salt particles from entering sap, ensuring only fresh water enters the plant.

What are salt-excreting leaves?

Microscopic salt glands located on leaf surfaces that pump excess internal brine out onto outer leaf layers.

Why do some mangroves have salt-excreting leaves?

Expelling toxic salt allows the plant to safely utilize highly saline brackish seawater.

What are sacrificial leaves?

Older leaves targeted for metabolic waste storage that concentrate excess internal salt into selected leaves.

Why do mangroves use sacrificial leaves?

When old leaves turn yellow and fall off the branch, they carry the stored toxic salt completely away.

What are micro-structures for aeration?

Surface pores (lenticels) and spongy internal tissues (aerenchyma). Lenticels pass air inward while internal tissues transport it.

Why do mangroves have aeration structures?

Outer pores are hydrophobic to repel water, while internal tissues act as an air reservoir when roots are submerged at high tide.

What are knee and plank roots?

Knee roots grow up and loop back down; Plank roots expand vertically along their top side. Both are wavy, structural root forms.

Why do mangroves have knee and plank roots?

These wide configurations significantly improve heavy tree support and overall stability across soft coastal sediments.

What is viviparous germination?

Seeds that germinate and develop before separating from the plant, growing into a heavy, spear-like seedling (propagule) before dropping.

Why do mangroves use viviparous germination?

Keeping seeds attached gives seedlings a head start until they drop, float, and spread to new mudbanks.

What is horizontal zonation in mangroves?

Spatial banding of mangrove species from the shore inland, with species aligning based on their levels of salt tolerance.

Why do mangrove species form horizontal zones?

Avicennia settles on seaward edges because it is the most salt-tolerant, while Bruguiera stays inland because it is the least salt-tolerant.

What roots does Rhizophora have and what is their use?

Prop and Stilt Roots - Branched, looping roots from lower trunks that arch outward into mudbanks. Provides stability against tidal currents and waves.

What roots does Avicennia have and what is their use?

Pneumatophores (Breathing Roots) - Pencil-like vertical roots growing upward from mud. Takes in oxygen so roots don't suffocate in waterlogged mud. Also has root-level salt exclusion membranes.

What roots does Bruguiera have and what is their use?

Knee Roots - Roots that grow upward and loop back down into the mud. Improves tree support and stability across soft coastal sediments. Least salt-tolerant, found inland.

What roots does Sonneratia have and what is their use?

Pneumatophores (Cone-shaped Breathing Roots) - Vertical, cone-shaped roots emerging from mud. Provides oxygen to root systems and aids in stability in soft sediments.

What other adaptations does Rhizophora have?

Viviparous germination (seeds germinate while attached). Uses salt exclusion at root level. Often the pioneer species on seaward edges.

What other adaptations does Avicennia have?

Salt-excreting leaves with salt glands that pump out excess salt. Most salt-tolerant species, found on seaward edges. Also uses viviparous germination.

What other adaptations does Bruguiera have?

Salt accumulation in sacrificial leaves. Least salt-tolerant, found inland. Uses viviparous germination. Has knee roots for stability.

What other adaptations does Sonneratia have?

Cone-shaped pneumatophores with spongy aerenchyma tissue. Salt exclusion at root level. Found in intermediate zones with moderate salt tolerance.

Rhizophora root type?

Prop and Stilt Roots

Avicennia root type?

Pneumatophores (Breathing Roots) - pencil-like

Bruguiera root type?

Knee Roots

Sonneratia root type?

Pneumatophores (Breathing Roots) - cone-shaped