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![Page 1: Tropical Morphology How Plants Adapt To Rain Forest The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Root & Stem Structures.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062515/56649f495503460f94c6aa96/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Tropical MorphologyHow Plants Adapt To Rain Forest
The University of GeorgiaCollege of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Root & Stem Structures
Adaptation To Soft, Wet Soils
![Page 2: Tropical Morphology How Plants Adapt To Rain Forest The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Root & Stem Structures.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062515/56649f495503460f94c6aa96/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
About The Author
• Dr. Paul A. Thomas– Professor of Floriculture– Department of Horticulture– The University of Georgia– Extension Specialist – Really into Photography!
Hope you enjoy my images
![Page 3: Tropical Morphology How Plants Adapt To Rain Forest The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Root & Stem Structures.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062515/56649f495503460f94c6aa96/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Learning Objectives
• 1. Describe the ways plant roots compensate for the often, wet, soft, loose soils that are common in the rainforest.
• 2. Understand the relationship between soil, water and how leaf litter and plant roots prevent erosion.
![Page 4: Tropical Morphology How Plants Adapt To Rain Forest The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Root & Stem Structures.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062515/56649f495503460f94c6aa96/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Most rainforests form in association with loose, porous, easily eroded soils. To survive, plants must deal with
the rainfall and somehow maintain stability.
![Page 5: Tropical Morphology How Plants Adapt To Rain Forest The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Root & Stem Structures.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062515/56649f495503460f94c6aa96/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
A thin layer of organic debris protects the fragile, volcanic soils of Costa Rica from the force of rain.
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The volcanic rainforest is often characterized by steep slopes.
![Page 7: Tropical Morphology How Plants Adapt To Rain Forest The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Root & Stem Structures.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062515/56649f495503460f94c6aa96/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Small ravines can wash out quickly if soil cover is disturbed or removed by bad farming practices
Disturbed SoilsUndisturbed soils
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Stilt roots are one adaptation that allows support in wet/loose soils
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An Example of a Buttress Root
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Inland plain trees must also adapt to moist, soft but now more dense
volcanic soils.
Pandanus, or Screw Pine Prop Roots
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Ficus trees have “Aerial Roots” that form in the canopy and then fuse or merge and
form a larger, spreading trunk!
![Page 12: Tropical Morphology How Plants Adapt To Rain Forest The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Root & Stem Structures.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062515/56649f495503460f94c6aa96/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Red Ginger forms colonies that share a root system to form a huge matt.
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Palm tree trunks form masses of very long roots that originate near the base of the stem and force their
way down into the ground and then fan out.
![Page 14: Tropical Morphology How Plants Adapt To Rain Forest The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Root & Stem Structures.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062515/56649f495503460f94c6aa96/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Banana roots extending out along the surface of the leaf litter to increase the base support in wet soils.
![Page 15: Tropical Morphology How Plants Adapt To Rain Forest The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Root & Stem Structures.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062515/56649f495503460f94c6aa96/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Summary
We have seen that the plants have developed a common root system adaptation, or theme. The use of stilt , prop, aerial or spreading roots to increase stability, rather than employing tap or deep roots, is a direct response to the rainfall and loose soils in Costa Rica, rather than to the just soil type.
![Page 16: Tropical Morphology How Plants Adapt To Rain Forest The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Root & Stem Structures.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062515/56649f495503460f94c6aa96/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Assessment Opportunity
• Explain why an Oak tree in the United States might have a deep root system, and a Banana might have a shallow, wider root system in Costa Rica. What do they share in common? What is different?
• Explain why slash and burn deforestation is so devastating to tropical soils? What would be a better way to harvest wood and plant crops?
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For Future Exploration
• http://www.k12connections.iptv.org/pdfs/WelcometotheRainforest.pdf
• http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/Y4632E/y4632e0a.htm
• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cs.html
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