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D. Low-Latitude (Tropical) Rainforest Biome. (largest continuous rainforest in Amazon basin). Greatest biodiversity. Abundant habitats and niches Canopy: Emergents : highest trees (150 - 200 ft tall) no branches at low levels Buttresses Umbrella-shaped canopy
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Greatest biodiversity • Abundant habitats and niches • Canopy: • Emergents: highest trees (150 - 200 ft tall) • no branches at low levels • Buttresses • Umbrella-shaped canopy • Middle Layer (65 - 130 ft tall) • Reduces light below • Lower Layer (15 - 50 ft tall) • High humidity, lack of air movement
Tree characteristics Buttresses: woody flanges thin bark; protective thorns and spikes Large leaves in lower layer Drip tips
Below tree layer: • Shrub layer: woody seedlings; palms • < 3% light • Ground layer • Herbs and ferns • Very humid, dark (<1% light) • 1/3 ppt intercepted
Growth forms: • lianas: woody climbers • epiphytes (“air plants”) • Stranglers • Heterotrophic plants (non- photosynthetic) • Saprophytes • Parasites
animals • Some strategies: • Adaptation to arboreal • Bright colors • Loud sounds • Fruit diets • Diurnal patterns • Highly specialized : 3 toed sloth feeds only on Cecropia tree