Vertical stratification - tropical rain forest, Biology

Assignment Help:

Vertical Stratification - Tropical Rain Forest

In a tropical rain forest, vertical stratification is very clearly seen. In addition to the different layers described above, there are lianas and climbers that twine around the .trees. A forest with four or five strata can support a greater diversity of life forms as compared to grassland with only two strata. Stratification is also seen in the underground plant parts, that is, the root and the rhizome systems. Root systems of different plant species tap moisture and nutrients from different soil depths. This enables them to avoid competition and too much exploitation of a particular soil layer.

Coming back to the above-ground parts of vegetation, the canopy which is the primary site of energy fixation, it has a major influence on the rest of the forest community.

A canopy is said to be open when considerable sunlight reaches the lower layers. In such cases the shrubs and understory tree strata are well developed. In a closed forest most of the sunlight is intercepted by tree canopies. The understory plants remain deprived of direct sunlight consequently the lower strata is comprised of shade tolerant species with poor growth of herbaceous layer. In such situations species requiring intense sunlight are absent or flourish only in the gaps created by the death of top canopy trees.


Related Discussions:- Vertical stratification - tropical rain forest

What is enzyme kinetics, What is enzyme kinetics The study of the rate ...

What is enzyme kinetics The study of the rate at which an enzyme works is called enzyme kinetics.

Secondary production - ecosystem, Secondary Production - Ecosystem Th...

Secondary Production - Ecosystem The net primary production is the only energy available to consumers or heterotrophs including man. Herbivores such as cow or deer gaze upon

Are sex-linked diseases associated only to genes, Are sex-linked diseases a...

Are sex-linked diseases associated only to genes of the X chromosome? There are many X-linked diseases, like hemophilia A, hemophilia B and adrenoleukodystrophy, but called as

Contamination of the implant body before insertion, Contamination of the Im...

Contamination of the Implant Body before Insertion The implant may be contaminated by manufacturing error, by the operator, from non titanium instrumentation and by the bacteri

What is gastrulation, What is gastrulation? How during gastrulation are the...

What is gastrulation? How during gastrulation are the first two germ layers formed? What are these germ layers? Gastrulation is the process by which a portion of the blastula w

What devices used for oxygen therapy, What Devices Used for Oxygen Therapy?...

What Devices Used for Oxygen Therapy? Variable performance systems: With these devices, the FiO 2 would vary depending on the patient's breathing pattern. In general, rapid, s

Haem group, Haem Group A group of compounds called porphyrins are wide...

Haem Group A group of compounds called porphyrins are widely distributed in plants, animals and bacteria. Porphyrins associate with metals to form metalloporphyrins which form

Circulation of nutrients in the coastal zone, Circulation of nutrients in t...

Circulation of nutrients in the coastal zone Circulation of nutrients from the sea bottom to the upper surface, occurs in the coastal regions by two processes Upwelling

Hormones controlling other functions, Hormones Controlling Other Functions ...

Hormones Controlling Other Functions Crustacean's exhibit pronounced capacity for physiological color changes. It is known that the color changing mechanisms in Crustacea are

Management for poisoning and overdose, Management  for Poisoning  and Ove...

Management  for Poisoning  and Overdose: The following data should be obtained at the time of initial contact.  Phone Number:  getting the caller's telephone number  is n

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd