How are Plants Adapted to the Rainforest? - Marwell Wildlife: Home

How are Plants Adapted to the Rainforest?

Curriculum Links

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 Challenge:

Ecological responses to the climate and soil moisture

budget – adaptations by vegetation and animals

Edexcel Entry Level: Ecosystems: Recognise and

describe the special features of tropical rainforest trees

that help them thrive

Summary • The aim of this self-guided resource is to encourage pupils to think about how different plants have adapted

to living in the Tropical Rainforest.

• Two versions of some of the worksheets are available for this resource depending on the ability of the pupils in

your 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 basic

adaptations that vegetation found in the rainforest might display. Depending on ability pupils can either

research the adaptations listed to discover the purpose of these for themselves or match each adaptation to

the 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 researching

rainforest vegetation on the internet. Two activities are suggested for doing this – one in which pupils record

information about the plant they identify and its adaptations in a tabular format, and one in which pupils

practice the skills of annotated sketches to make a record of different plants and their adaptations (this could

be good preparation for future fieldwork/GCSE Coursework/Controlled Assessments) – an example of Devil’s Ivy

is given. Pupils could do one or both of these activities. In addition to the example of Devil’s Ivy as an annotated

photo, a number of other examples of Tropical Rainforest plant species can be found at the bottom of this

document – 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 discovered

to encourage pupils to think about these adaptations at a deeper level. Two versions of this are provided – one

with 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 some

practice in using their acquired understanding to answer such questions. There are two sets of questions – one

with sentence starters to support pupils who need it and one without.

How are Plants Adapted to the Rainforest? Match the adaptations to their descriptions

Drip Tips

Leaf Angling

Epiphytes

Thin Bark

Purpose:

Purpose:

Purpose:

Purpose:

Purpose:

Purpose:

Purpose:

Purpose:

Buttress Roots

Stilt Roots

Red Leaves

Lianas


Leaves are often arranged at different angles so that a plant avoids shading its own leaves – important in rainforests where competition for light is intense

In a similar way to buttress roots, these provide tall rainforest trees with support as

they are anchored in the shallow rainforest soils

These plants live on the surface of other plants, mostly tree trunks and branches. This allows them to make the most of the sunlight in the canopy layer

Rainforest trees don’t need thick bark to prevent moisture like those in temperate deciduous forests – there is

always plenty of rain and thus moisture available. Therefore bark is often thin and smooth – the smoothness may also make it more difficult for other plants to grow on tree surfaces

Leaves often have a waxy surface with pointed tips at the end to enable excess rainwater to run-off easily. This is important because it prevents the growth of algae, which if able to grow would block out sunlight and reduce a plants ability to photosynthesise

Young rainforest plant saplings may have these to give them protection from the

sunlight whilst their internal organs for photosynthesis are still developing. They act as a sunscreen by reflecting red light whilst the leaf is still young

Rainforest soils are very thin and therefore shallow roots are needed to soak up nutrients in these thin soils. Since trees in the rainforest grow very tall – many over

30m tall in the canopy layer – massive buttress roots form to give these tall trees extra stability in the shallow soils

These plants have their roots in the ground and use other trees to climb up into the rainforest canopy to maximise the sunlight they receive. Many start life in the canopy before sending roots down to the ground

Match the adaptations to their descriptions

Drip Tips

Leaf Angling

Epiphytes

Thin Bark

Buttress Roots

Stilt Roots

Red Leaves

Lianas

How are Plants Adapted to the Rainforest? - ANSWERS

Leaves are often arranged at different angles so that a plant avoids shading its own leaves – important in rainforests where competition for light is intense

In a similar way to buttress roots, these

provide tall rainforest trees with support as they are anchored in the shallow rainforest soils

These plants live on the surface of other plants, mostly tree trunks and branches. This allows them to make the most of the sunlight in the canopy layer

Rainforest trees don’t need thick bark to prevent moisture like those in temperate deciduous forests – there is

always plenty of rain and thus moisture available. Therefore bark is often thin and smooth – the smoothness may also make it more difficult for other plants to grow on tree surfaces

Leaves often have a waxy surface with

pointed tips at the end to enable excess rainwater to run-off easily. This is important because it prevents the growth of algae, which if able to grow would block out sunlight and reduce a plants ability to photosynthesise

Young rainforest plant saplings may have these to give them protection from the sunlight whilst their internal organs for

photosynthesis are still developing. They act as a sunscreen by reflecting red light whilst the leaf is still young

Rainforest soils are very thin and therefore shallow roots are needed to soak up nutrients in these thin soils. Since trees in the rainforest grow very tall – many over

30m tall in the canopy layer – massive buttress roots form to give these tall trees extra stability in the shallow soils

These plants have their roots in the ground and use other trees to climb up into the rainforest canopy to maximise the sunlight they receive. Many start life in the canopy before sending roots down to the ground

Match the adaptations to their descriptions

Drip Tips

Leaf Angling

Epiphytes

Thin Bark

Buttress Roots

Stilt Roots

Red Leaves

Lianas

Name of Plant Quick Sketch/Description Adaptations to the Rainforest

Example Devil’s Ivy

Large green heart-shaped leaves – leaf size increases with height; Climbs up other trees (Epiphyte)

Large leaves to capture sunlight; leaves angled away from each other to avoid shading its own leaves; drip tips to get rid of excess rainwater; aerial

roots for climbing to reach sunlight in canopy layer

Tropical World Activity 1 Task: Use the table below to record some of the adaptations the plants in Marwell’s Tropical World have for surviving in the rainforest.

Devil’s Ivy Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Aureum’

Waxy Drip-Tip Leaves –

These enable excess rainwater to run-off, preventing the growth of algae which would reduce

light to the plant and therefore its ability to photosynthesise if allowed to grow

Epiphyte – Climbs up the

trunks of other trees by attaching itself to them with aerial roots in order to reach light in the canopy

Leaf Angling – Leaves

arranged at different angles to avoid shading its own leaves in order to capture as much sunlight as possible

Leaf Size – Leafs become

larger as the plant rises to

make the most of increased sunlight

Tropical World Activity 2

Task: Draw 3 annotated sketches to show how 3 plants in Marwell’s Tropical World are adapted to the Rainforest. Below is an example.

Plant Name:


Plant Name:


Plant Name:



In the space below rank the adaptations on the left in the order of how important you think each is (1 = Most Important, 8 = Least Important). You must justify your order.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6. 7.

8. My order justified... I think the most important adaptation is because

I think the least important adaptation is because

Drip Tips

Leaf Angling

Epiphytes

Thin Bark

Buttress Roots

Stilt Roots

Red Leaves

Lianas


In the space below rank the adaptations on the left in the order of how important you think each is (1 = Most Important, 8 = Least Important). You must justify your order.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6. 7.

8. My order justified...

Drip Tips

Leaf Angling

Epiphytes

Thin Bark

Buttress Roots

Stilt Roots

Red Leaves

Lianas

Exam Style Questions

1. 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 Questions

1. 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 Ivy Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Aureum’

Waxy Drip-Tip

Leaves – These enable excess

rainwater to run-off,

preventing the

growth of algae

which would

reduce light to the

plant and therefore

its ability to

photosynthesise if

allowed to grow

Epiphyte – Climbs up the trunks of

other trees by

attaching itself to

them with aerial

roots in order to

reach light in the

canopy

Leaf Angling – Leaves arranged

at different angles

to avoid shading

its own leaves in

order to capture

as much sunlight

as possible

Leaf Size – Leaves become larger as

the plant rises to

make the most of

increased sunlight

Xanthosoma violacea

Waxy drip-tip

leaves – Allow excess

rainwater to

run-off


arranged at

different

angles to

avoid shading

its own leaves

in order to

capture as

much sunlight

as possible

Vanilla Orchid Vanilla planifolia varietgata

Climber – Climbs into the canopy

to find more

sunlight

Thick Waxy

Leaves – Allow excess rainwater

to run-off whilst

retaining water

needed within the

leaves – Important

since relies on

aerial roots

Swiss Cheese Plant Monstera deliciosa

Holes in

Leaves – Stop the

leaves

being

ripped by

high winds in

the upper

canopy

Holes in

Leaves – Enable to

run-off more

quickly

Holes in

Leaves – Allow more

sunlight to

reach the

leaves

below

Anthurium hybrids

Waxy drip-tip

leaves – Allow excess rainwater to

run-off

Colourful flowers – Attract insects

down to the forest

floor to enable

pollination

Alocasia x amazonica

Waxy drip-tip

leaves – allow excess

rainwater to

run-off


arranged at

different

angles to

avoid

shading its

own leaves in

order to

capture as

much sunlight

as possible

Jagged Leaf

Shape and

Veins – allow excess

rainwater to

run-off

How are Plants Adapted to the Rainforest? - Marwell Wildlife: Home

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