Discovering Rainforest - Part (2)

Besides trees, animals and other plants, what other organisms live in a rainforest?
These groups of living organisms are usually overlooked when people think of organisms in as rainforest. They are Fungi and Mosses!

Fungus / Fungi (Needs: Nutrients)

Fungi do not belong to the groups "Plant" or "Animal"! It is a classification on its own.

They reproduce by spores. The spores are carried by the wind to other areas.

As Fungi do not have food-making pigments, chlorophyll, they cannot make food on its own. Instead, they absorb nutrients from dead organisms.

Only a small amount of Fungi is poisonous. However, it is very difficult to differentiate between poisonous and non-poisonous fungi. So do not pick and consume any fungi in the rainforests!


Mosses Close-Up!

Moss / Mosses (Needs: Nutrients, water)

Mosses is classify as “Plants”.

As Mosses have no roots, they cannot grow tall.

They are found only in areas which are moist, thus they can be found on logs and rocks.

They also reproduce by spores.


We have looked at the plants in detailed. Now, let us look at the rainforest. How does it adapt to its environment?

Reproduction

Reproduction is very important to all life forms. It is a process to make sure that the species will not die out.

Dispersal of fruits and seeds is very important as it prevents overcrowding of plants in one area.

There are various forms of reproduction.

• Some trees bear fruits. “Residents” in the park such as the Long-Tailed Macaque, Plantain Squirrels and many other animals feast on the fruits and thus, help to spread the seeds.
  

• Some plants reproduce by spores

. The wind will then disperse the spores.

Rainforest as a Whole

Compare the two following trees. Can you spot a major difference between them?

Yes, the tree in Picture (a) is tall and narrow whereas the tree in Picture (b) is short and widely branched out. Can you guess which tree belongs to a tropical rainforest?

Trees in rainforests are tall and narrow.

This is because they must grow tall to fight for sunlight as there is little sunlight at the canopy and shrubs/palms levels.

Also, there is not much space for the trees to grow like the tree in Picture (b). Thus, they have to fully utilize the space.

Therefore, the answer is Picture (a)!

Nutrient Cycle

“The Rainforest can feed on itself.” Heard of this before? How does it manage to “feed” on itself?

Thus, you can see from the pictures above that organisms do thrive on decomposing materials such as rotting log, leaf litter and others.

Leaf Litter


Rotting Log


We hope that after reading these two entries, you will have a better understanding of the Rainforest. The Rainforest is home to many plants and animals and we have no right to interfere their environment. It is actually a very fragile ecosystem and further pollution and interference from us may eventually kill it!

Thus, please protect the Rainforest! Let us keep it as a safe haven for the animals and plants living in it.

"Leave nothing behind but footsteps; Take nothing but pictures."

SOURCES:

Ramsey, D (2005). Retrieved Feb 14, 2008, from Specific adaptations in the Tropical Rainforest Web site: http://rainforest-australia.com/Tropical_Rainforest-Specific_Adaptions.htm

The Ever Green Project, (1997). Retrieved Feb 14, 2008, from Tropical Rainforest Plants Plant Adaptations Web site: http://www.hewett.norfolk.sch.uk/curric/NewGeog/Habitats/adapt.htm

Retrieved Feb 14, 2008, from What is Fungi? Web site: http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/andes/8046/whatis.html

Lam, P.K. Biology A Course for ‘O’ Level