The Environment
Most massive, diverse and productive of the earth's ecosystems. Average annual rainfall is at least 1800mm, without any dry season. Average temperature is as high as over 18°C and high humidity.
Adaptations and Morphology of plants
Plants in tropical rainforests usually have smooth, uninterrupted trunks with buttressed bases, with a large horizontal root-mat. They have broad, smooth-edged leaves, terminating in a pronounced drip-tip. Main agents of pollination are birds, bats and insects.
There is a relation between vertical tree height and the light availability in that ecosystem. Plants in the tropical rainforests depend on the nutrients released by the rapid decomposition of the dead plants and other organic matters (e.g. dead animals, animals faeces, etc)
(
http://www.ust.hk/~webpepa/pepa/Protection-Plant/rainforest/rainforest.htm)
All the trees carry their branches and leaves at the top of long slender trunks, forming a huge umbrella-like green canopy. The dense canopy filters much of the daylight, leaving a shady green world beneath it.
(
http://library.thinkquest.org/26634/forest/introf.htm)
Strata of the Rainforest
Different animals and plants live in different parts of the rainforest. Scientists divide the rainforest into strata (zones) based on the living environment. Starting at the top, the strata are:
EMERGENTS: Giant trees that are much higher than the average canopy height. It houses many birds and insects.
CANOPY: The upper parts of the trees. This leafy environment is full of life in a tropical rainforest and includes: insects, birds, reptiles, mammals, and more.
UNDERSTORY: A dark, cool environment under the leaves but over the ground.
FOREST FLOOR: Teeming with animal life, especially insects. The largest animals in the rainforest generally live here.
(In the website, there are some pictures to introduce
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/rainforest/animals/Rfbiomeanimals.shtml)
The Amazon Rainforest is the world's greatest natural resource.
(
http://www.rain-tree.com/)