Structure of the vegetation: Herbs• 70-90% of species are trees• low light levels discourage herbs• some common familiesGesneriaceae - African violetfamilyMelastomataceae - melastomefamilyTropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Herbs• 70-90% of species are trees• low light levels discourage herbs• other common familiesBegoniaceae - begonia familyCommeliniaceae - spiderwortfamilyTropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Herbs• velvety, variegated, or metallic shimmer leaves common• adaptive in low light conditionsTropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Herbs• coarse herbs common in riparian (river edge) or gap habitats• order Zingiberales (banana families: heliconias, gingers, etc.)Heliconia (Heliconiaceae) Costus (Costaceae)Tropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Herbs• saprophytes (mycorrhizal parasites) common• adaptation to low nutrients (mycorrhizal) and low light (non-photosynthetic)Voyria (Gentianaceae)) Triuris (Triuridaceae)Tropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Herbs• parasites common• adaptation to low nutrients (parasitize plants) and low light (non-photosynthetic)Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae)Mitrastemma (Mitrastemmaceae)Heliosis (Balanophoraceae)Tropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Herbs• fungi common• non-photosynthetic Stinkhorn Bracket fungusTropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Lianas — a cost effective method in struggle for light Ficus - fig (Moraceae)• exploit tree as support forrapidly growing flexible stemCombretum (Combretaceae)• profusely branched crowns incanopyBauhinia (Fabaceae)• rope-like (20cm, 8in) but withpliable secondary thickenings• 90% of all lianas confined towet tropical rainforests - why?Tropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: LianasBignoniaceae -catalpa familyCucurbitaceae -gourd familyApocynaceae -dogbane family• other common liana families Gurania and othercucurbit flowers aresole source of nectarfor adult heliconidbutterfliesTropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: LianasPassifloraceae - passion flowerfamily• other common liana families Passiflora leaves are sole source offood for heliconid butterfly larvaeTropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Epiphytes — a cost effective method in struggle for light Epiphytes in Costa Rica canopy walk• germination in top most branches of host tree• host solely as means of physical support • flowering plants, ferns, mosses,liverworts, lichens, algae (epiphylls)Tropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Epiphytes — a cost effective method in struggle for light • the study and collection of epiphytes one ofthe most challenging in scienceScott Mori - NY Bot Gard in GuyanaAlec Barrow - Princeton U in Barro Colorado IslandTropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Epiphytes — a cost effective method in struggle for light • dominant angiosperm epiphytes: Orchidaceae - orchidsCactaceae - cactiTropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Epiphytes — a cost effective method in struggle for light • dominant angiosperm epiphytes: Piperaceae - peperomiasAraceae - aroidsTropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Epiphytes — a cost effective method in struggle for light • dominant angiosperm epiphytes: Bromeliaceae - pineapplesGesneriaceae - African violetsTropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Epiphytes — a cost effective method in struggle for light • adaptations to epiphytic condition — the problem of obtaining and storing water Scales (water & nutrient uptake) - Bromeliaceaewater tanks (waterstorage) - BromeliaceaeTropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Epiphytes — a cost effective method in struggle for light • adaptations to epiphytic condition — the problem of obtaining and storing water Orchid root velamen (water storage)leaf tubers (water storage) - OrchidaceaeTropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Epiphytes — a cost effective method in struggle for light • adaptations to epiphytic condition — the problem of obtaining and storing water “trash baskets” & aerialroots - staghorn ferns(above) and Araceae(right)Succulence & CAMphotosynthesis - CactaceaeTropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Stranglers — a cost effective method in struggle for light • start as epiphytes and grow roots down host treeFicus (strangler fig - Moraceae)Tropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Stranglers — a cost effective method in struggle for light • start as epiphytes and grow roots down host tree• shoot elongates and roots thicken, coalesceTropical Rainforest BiomeFicus (strangler fig - Moraceae)Structure of the vegetation: Stranglers — a cost effective method in struggle for light • start as epiphytes and grow roots down host tree• shoot elongates and roots thicken, coalesce• strangulation of host via “root” stem Tropical Rainforest BiomeFicus (strangler fig - Moraceae)Structure of the vegetation: Stranglers — a cost effective method in struggle for light • other stranglers Clusia (Clusiaceae)Tropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Stranglers — a cost effective method in struggle for light Metrosideros robusta - Northern rata(Myrtaceae)• other stranglers Tropical Rainforest BiomeStructure of the vegetation: Hemi-epiphytes• germinate on ground, grow up as lianas (root climbers)• bottom dies, becomes epiphytes• “walk” or “snake” through forest looking for lightPhilodendron (aroid - Araceae)Anthurium & Philodendron (aroid - Araceae)Tropical Rainforest BiomeCloud Forest or Tropical Montane Biome• Form when moisture laden winds encounter mountains• Form when moisture laden winds encounter mountains• Elevation and humidity related - not precise locationAndean cloud forests higherPanamanian cloud forests lowerCloud Forest or Tropical Montane Biome• epiphytes most abundant here• trees smaller, lianas rareCloud Forest or Tropical Montane Biome• characteristic groups of cloud forests• tree fernsCyatheaCloud Forest or Tropical Montane Biome• characteristic groups of cloud forests• filmy ferns (Hymenophyllaceae)Hymenophyllum - filmy fern• club mosses, spike mosses, true mossesSelaginella - spike mossCloud Forest or Tropical Montane Biome• characteristic groups of cloud forests• Gunnera (Gunneraceae)• Ericaceae