Notable Canopy Tree Adaptations

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TROPICAL RAINFORESTS: The Canopy

Notable Canopy Tree Adaptations

Bark: Thin, often smooth bark, since trees do not have to deal with cold weather. The smooth bark reduces root holds for epiphytes and allows rapid water run off.
Root Systems: Shallow since rainforest nutrients exist in only the upper few inches of soil.
Leaves: Lower level leaves are equipped with drip tips to facilitate water run off and prevent epiphytes from gaining hold.

Cauliflourous fruits: production of fruits and flowers directly from tree trunks.

Continued: Rainforest Overstory

This article was written by Rhett A. Butler [bibliographic citation for this page] and was last updated on the most recent date listed in the column on the right side.

Other pages in this section:

Canopy Intro
Overstory
Epiphytes
Leaf-Eating Mammals
Bats
Birds
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References

Study
Structure
Vines & Lianas
Locomotion
Other Mammals
Amphibians, Reptiles, Invertebrates
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Kids version of this section
What is the canopy?

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Copyright Rhett Butler 1994-2011

"Rainforest" is used interchangeably with "rain forest" on this site. "Jungle" is generally not used.