Channel Button

There are 2 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated #1 by Helium's members.

Politics, News & Issues   >

Environmental Awareness

Get a Widget for this title

A guide to the rainforest

unchanged by global climate shifts such as the ice age.
In a Tropical Rainforest, Trees can reach up to 50 metres (165 feet) in height, to reach the sunlight, which is blocked out by the thick layers of plant growth. These trees are known as "emergents" as they emerge from the main canopy and are typically umbrella shaped with lots of small leaves.
The trees in the rainforest are not evergreen, (meaning they don't stay flowered all year round) yet they manage to keep their leaves throughout the year because the temperature there is very high and humid (moist).


The trees there have their own methods of flowering, fruiting, and shedding leaves.
They also have buttress roots which grow above ground, giving the tree extra height in its bid to reach the sunlight.
The trees have to grow fast to get towards the light so have long, bare trunks right up to the very top where the tree flowers as if they wasted precious time growing branches all the way up they could die of light-starvation as without the sunlight, photosynthesis cannot take place.
Photosynthesis is the process during which plants make their own food.
Some plants known, as "parasites" are so-called because they get their food from other plants and animals, so they don't photosynthesize!
One of the most famous parasite plants is the "corpse lily" (Rafflesia). When this plant blooms, its flower can be up to a metre in diameter. It is therefore, the biggest flower in the world!
In the centre of the flower is a bowl-like formation, which is where the plant collects its water and minerals, and this in turn provides a water source and bath for birds and other small creatures.
The bark of forest trees can be very diverse. Many trees have thin, smooth bark because the humidity of their habitat means that they don't have to store a lot of water, while others grow spikes or thorns for protection.
Some trees grow bright, juicy fruits to attract the birds and animals that allow seed dispersal to take place.
The bark of forest trees can be very diverse. Many trees have thin, smooth bark because the humidity of their habitat means that they don't have to store a lot of water, while others grow spikes or thorns for protection.
Creatures that live in the trees make good use of the vast amount of vegetation that is so freely available, meaning a lot less competition occurs between these species.
Adaptations for living in the high canopy include flying, gliding, and tails enabled for clinging onto vines or branches, and


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

A guide to the rainforest

  • 1 of 2

    by Sophie Woodside

    Tropical rainforests are found in the Amazon basin in Brazil, Central America, central Africa, South East Asia, the western

    read more

  • 2 of 2

    by Nicole Du Plessis

    A Short Guide to Tropical Rainforests

    1. The vegetation and how it is adapted to the climate.

    The rainforest is comprised of

    read more

Add your voice

Know something about A guide to the rainforest?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

Helium Debate

Cast your vote!

US Senate's new energy bill: Is it the answer?

Click for your side.

102314

Featured Partner

Appleseed

Appleseed, a nonprofit network of 16 public interest justice centers in the United States and Mexico, uncovers and co...more

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA