How Are Plants Adapted To The Rainforest?

How are Plants Adapted to the Rainforest?Curriculum LinksAQA Entry Level: Unit 6 – Ecosystems: 14.4.7 – Theadaptations of the vegetation to the climateAQA GCSE A: Living World: The vegetation adapts tothe climate and soils and is in harmony with itAQA AS/A Level: Ecosystems: Change and Challenge:Ecological responses to the climate and soil moisturebudget – adaptations by vegetation and animalsEdexcel Entry Level: Ecosystems: Recognise anddescribe the special features of tropical rainforest treesthat help them thrive

Summary The aim of this self-guided resource is to encourage pupils to think about how different plants have adaptedto living in the Tropical Rainforest. Two versions of some of the worksheets are available for this resource depending on the ability of the pupils inyour group – one slightly easier, one slightly more difficult. The first part of this resource can be completed as a pre-visit activity in which pupils research the basicadaptations that vegetation found in the rainforest might display. Depending on ability pupils can eitherresearch the adaptations listed to discover the purpose of these for themselves or match each adaptation tothe descriptions given – an answer sheet has been provided for your convenience. Pupils can then look out for these adaptations either in Tropical World at Marwell Wildlife or by researchingrainforest vegetation on the internet. Two activities are suggested for doing this – one in which pupils recordinformation about the plant they identify and its adaptations in a tabular format, and one in which pupilspractice the skills of annotated sketches to make a record of different plants and their adaptations (this couldbe good preparation for future fieldwork/GCSE Coursework/Controlled Assessments) – an example of Devil’s Ivyis given. Pupils could do one or both of these activities. In addition to the example of Devil’s Ivy as an annotatedphoto, a number of other examples of Tropical Rainforest plant species can be found at the bottom of thisdocument – all of which can be seen in Marwell’s Tropical World. A follow-up activity is suggested in which pupils rank the importance of the adaptations they have discoveredto encourage pupils to think about these adaptations at a deeper level. Two versions of this are provided – onewith additional structure to help pupils who need it to organise their response. Finally, this pack also includes some exam style questions based on this topic to provide pupils with somepractice in using their acquired understanding to answer such questions. There are two sets of questions – onewith sentence starters to support pupils who need it and one without.

How are Plants Adapted to the Rainforest?Match the adaptations to their descriptionsPurpose:Purpose:Leaf AnglingButtress RootsPurpose:Purpose:Drip TipsStilt RootsPurpose:Purpose:EpiphytesRed LeavesPurpose:Purpose:LianasThin Bark

How are Plants Adapted to the Rainforest?Match the adaptations to their descriptionsButtress RootsStilt RootsRed LeavesLianasThese plants have their roots in the groundand use other trees to climb up into therainforest canopy to maximise the sunlightthey receive. Many start life in the canopybefore sending roots down to the groundRainforest soils are very thin and thereforeshallow roots are needed to soak upnutrients in these thin soils. Since trees inthe rainforest grow very tall – many over30m tall in the canopy layer – massivebuttress roots form to give these tall treesextra stability in the shallow soilsIn a similar way to buttress roots, theseprovide tall rainforest trees with support asthey are anchored in the shallowrainforest soilsYoung rainforest plant saplings may havethese to give them protection from thesunlight whilst their internal organs forphotosynthesis are still developing. Theyact as a sunscreen by reflecting red lightwhilst the leaf is still youngLeaf AnglingDrip TipsEpiphytesThin BarkLeaves often have a waxy surface withpointed tips at the end to enableexcess rainwater to run-off easily. This isimportant because it prevents thegrowth of algae, which if able to growwould block out sunlight and reduce aplants ability to photosynthesiseRainforest trees don’t need thick barkto prevent moisture like those intemperate deciduous forests – there isalways plenty of rain and thus moistureavailable. Therefore bark is often thinand smooth – the smoothness may alsomake it more difficult for other plants togrow on tree surfacesLeaves are often arranged at differentangles so that a plant avoids shading itsown leaves – important in rainforestswhere competition for light is intenseThese plants live on the surface of otherplants, mostly tree trunks and branches.This allows them to make the most ofthe sunlight in the canopy layer

How are Plants Adapted to the Rainforest? - ANSWERSMatch the adaptations to their descriptionsButtress RootsStilt RootsRed LeavesLianasThese plants have their roots in the groundand use other trees to climb up into therainforest canopy to maximise the sunlightthey receive. Many start life in the canopybefore sending roots down to the groundRainforest soils are very thin and thereforeshallow roots are needed to soak upnutrients in these thin soils. Since trees inthe rainforest grow very tall – many over30m tall in the canopy layer – massivebuttress roots form to give these tall treesextra stability in the shallow soilsIn a similar way to buttress roots, theseprovide tall rainforest trees with support asthey are anchored in the shallowrainforest soilsYoung rainforest plant saplings may havethese to give them protection from thesunlight whilst their internal organs forphotosynthesis are still developing. Theyact as a sunscreen by reflecting red lightwhilst the leaf is still youngLeaf AnglingDrip TipsEpiphytesThin BarkLeaves often have a waxy surface withpointed tips at the end to enableexcess rainwater to run-off easily. This isimportant because it prevents thegrowth of algae, which if able to growwould block out sunlight and reduce aplants ability to photosynthesiseRainforest trees don’t need thick barkto prevent moisture like those intemperate deciduous forests – there isalways plenty of rain and thus moistureavailable. Therefore bark is often thinand smooth – the smoothness may alsomake it more difficult for other plants togrow on tree surfacesLeaves are often arranged at differentangles so that a plant avoids shading itsown leaves – important in rainforestswhere competition for light is intenseThese plants live on the surface of otherplants, mostly tree trunks and branches.This allows them to make the most ofthe sunlight in the canopy layer

Tropical World Activity 1Task: Use the table below to record some of the adaptations the plants in Marwell’s Tropical Worldhave for surviving in the rainforest.Name of PlantExampleDevil’s IvyQuick Sketch/DescriptionAdaptations to the RainforestLarge green heart-shaped leaves –leaf size increases with height; Climbsup other trees (Epiphyte)Large leaves to capture sunlight; leaves angledaway from each other to avoid shading its ownleaves; drip tips to get rid of excess rainwater; aerialroots for climbing to reach sunlight in canopy layer

Tropical World Activity 2Task: Draw 3 annotated sketches to show how 3 plants in Marwell’s Tropical World are adapted to theRainforest. Below is an example.Devil’s IvyEpipremnum pinnatum ‘Aureum’Epiphyte – Climbs up thetrunks of other trees byattaching itself to themwith aerial roots in order toreach light in the canopyWaxy Drip-Tip Leaves –These enable excessrainwater to run-off,preventing the growth ofalgae which would reducelight to the plant andtherefore its ability tophotosynthesise if allowed togrowLeaf Angling – Leavesarranged at differentangles to avoid shading itsown leaves in order tocapture as much sunlightas possibleLeaf Size – Leafs becomelarger as the plant rises tomake the most of increasedsunlight

Tropical World Activity 2Plant Name:

Tropical World Activity 2Plant Name:

Tropical World Activity 2Plant Name:

How are Plants Adapted to the Rainforest?In the space below rank the adaptations on the left in the order of howimportant you think each is (1 Most Important, 8 Least Important). You mustjustify your order.1.Buttress RootsLeaf Angling2.3.4.Stilt RootsDrip Tips5.6.7.8.Red LeavesEpiphytesMy order justified.I think the most important adaptation isbecauseLianasThin BarkI think the least important adaptation isbecause

How are Plants Adapted to the Rainforest?In the space below rank the adaptations on the left in the order of howimportant you think each is (1 Most Important, 8 Least Important). You mustjustify your order.1.Buttress RootsLeaf Angling2.3.4.Stilt RootsDrip Tips5.6.7.8.Red LeavesEpiphytesLianasThin BarkMy order justified.

Exam Style Questions1.Explain one way in which rainforest trees are adapted to their climate (2).2.Explain one way in which rainforest trees are adapted to their soils (2).3.Describe and explain three adaptations plants might have to help them survive in the rainforest (6)1.Adaptation:.This is useful in the rainforest because .2.Adaptation:.This is useful in the rainforest because .3.Adaptation:.This is useful in the rainforest because .

Exam Style Questions1.Explain one way in which rainforest trees are adapted to their climate (2).2.Explain one way in which rainforest trees are adapted to their soils (2).3.Describe and explain three adaptations plants might have to help them survive in the rainforest (6)1.2.3.

Devil’s IvyEpipremnum pinnatum ‘Aureum’Epiphyte – Climbsup the trunks ofother trees byattaching itself tothem with aerialroots in order toreach light in thecanopyLeaf Angling –Leaves arrangedat different anglesto avoid shadingits own leaves inorder to captureas much sunlightas possibleWaxy Drip-TipLeaves – Theseenable excessrainwater to run-off,preventing thegrowth of algaewhich wouldreduce light to theplant and thereforeits ability tophotosynthesise ifallowed to growLeaf Size – Leavesbecome larger asthe plant rises tomake the most ofincreased sunlight

Xanthosoma violaceaWaxy drip-tipleaves – Allowexcessrainwater torun-offLeaf Angling –Leavesarranged atdifferentangles toavoid shadingits own leavesin order tocapture asmuch sunlightas possible

Vanilla OrchidVanilla planifolia varietgataClimber – Climbsinto the canopyto find moresunlightThick WaxyLeaves – Allowexcess rainwaterto run-off whilstretaining waterneeded within theleaves – Importantsince relies onaerial roots

Swiss Cheese PlantMonstera deliciosaHoles inLeaves –Enable torun-off morequicklyHoles inLeaves –Allow moresunlight toreach theleavesbelowHoles inLeaves –Stop theleavesbeingripped byhigh winds inthe uppercanopy

Anthurium hybridsWaxy drip-tipleaves – Allowexcess rainwater torun-offColourful flowers –Attract insectsdown to the forestfloor to enablepollination

Alocasia x amazonicaWaxy drip-tipleaves – allowexcessrainwater torun-offJagged LeafShape andVeins – allowexcessrainwater torun-offLeaf Angling –Leavesarranged atdifferentangles toavoidshading itsown leaves inorder tocapture asmuch sunlightas possible

AQA Entry Level: Unit 6 – Ecosystems: 14.4.7 – The adaptations of the vegetation to the climate AQA GCSE A: Living World: The vegetation adapts to the climate and soils and is in harmony with it AQA AS/A Level: Ecosystems: Change and Challen