Tropical Rainforest
Tropical rainforests also dubbed as the "world's largest pharmacy" because nearly one quarter of modern medicine is derived from plants in the rainforest (Rainforest Concern, 2008). Formed in the tropical rain forest and tropical regions, with a minimum annual rainfall ranges from 1,750 mm (69 in) and 2,000 mm (79 in). While the average monthly temperature is above 18 ° C (64 ° F) throughout the year (Woodward, 2008). The wet forests grow in the lowlands to an altitude of about 1,200 m above sea level, above the fertile soils or relatively fertile, dry (no stagnant water in a long time), and has no real dry season (number of dry months <2) (Whitmore, 1984).
The wet forests grow in the lowlands to an altitude of about 1,200 m above sea level, above the fertile soils or relatively fertile, dry (no stagnant water in a long time), and has no real dry season (number of dry months <2) (Whitmore, 1984).
Tropical rain forest is the richest vegetation, both in terms of the number of living species is formed, as well as the high value of land resources (soil, water, sun light) has. This lowland forest dominated by large trees that form the canopy layers (layering), at least the upper canopy height averaged 45 m (the highest average than other woods), meetings, and green throughout the year. There are three layers in the canopy above the forest (Whitmore, 1984).
Highly stratified tropical rain forest trees generally form a three layer 1). A very tall tree, 2). Canopy layers that make up 18 green rugs continuous up to 80-100 feet tall, 3). Stratum under which becomes dense only where there is an opening canopy. There is also abundant vines and epiphytes, especially woody liana-epiphytes are often conceal the outline of the trees (Odum, 1998).
In the tropical rain forest plant diversity is quite high and has a vertical and horizontal structure of the complex, all plants need water, nutrients, oxygen and CO2 as well as soil moisture and sunlight. To meet these needs, among competing plant species. In the forest there are seven habitus tropical plants, namely: herb (herb), bushes, shrubs, vines, lianas, epiphytes and parasitic. In terms of the competition between the liana plant trees and plants, the one factor that is contested sunlight.
Sunlight can not be stored, so it must be used as efficiently as possible. As a result of this competition then there is adaptation in plants, among others: there are plants that are heliofit (need sunlight) and sciofit (plants that can live in the shade of other plants). Plants that need sunlight is a forest community at large dimension trees. The tree in question is: are woody, single upright with a diameter of 7 cm and a height varying from 5 to more than 70 meters (Longman and Jenik, 1987). The big difference in the height of the layers resulted in the canopy. Both of these characteristics form a vertical structure of the forest.
Other plant species that sustain the plant stems upright fringed also fills the forest community. This plant is commonly called lianas, can solve the problem to get enough sunlight is to sustain the 19 climbing or other upright plants. Liana is a climbing plant, woody stem but can not stand upright without crutches, has a trunk diameter of 15cm and a length of the stem reaches up to 70 meters (Jacobs, 1980). This liana climbing plant another tree for support until reaching the crown of the tree is carrying. Then at the liana foliage will quickly evolve so that it can utilize sunlight efficiently.
See also: The Growth Cycle of Tropical Rainforest