Many Of The Plant Species In The Tropical Hardwood Forest

Home to more animal species than anywhere else it s the plants that provide food and homes for forest life.

Many of the plant species in the tropical hardwood forest.

Many of the plant species in the tropical hardwood forest ecosystem of southern florida originated in. While at the local beach you see pelicans capturing fish by plunge diving. The amazon rainforest is one of the most ecologically diverse places on earth. There are many types of plants that are only found in rainforests in tropical regions of the world.

Florida s scrub ecosystem is characterized by soils. The world s tropical rainforests are home to an incredible number of plants. It is estimated that these contain around 170 000 of the world s plant species. In tropical rainforests many plants live as epiphytes to receive the necessary sunlight and moisture to complete their life cycle.

One fifth of the world s fresh water is in the amazon basin. The amazon rainforest alone provides a habitat for over 40 000 plant species. On the forest floor the lack of light means that it is difficult for many species of plants to survive. There are around 80 000 species of amazon rainforest plants which grow as trees shrubs bushes and vines creating a wildlife filled environment.

One hectare 2 47 acres may contain over 750 types of trees and 1500 species of higher plants. Thus plants growing here are adapted to the low light conditions and the forest floor is relatively clear of vegetation. Tropical hardwood hammocks are found in south florida or the everglades with large concentrations on the miami rock ridge in the florida keys along the northern shores of florida bay and in the pinecrest region of the. Florida s scrub ecosystem is characterized by soils.

More common species include gumbo limbo bursera simaruba black ironwood krugiodendron ferreum inkwood exothea paniculata lancewood ocotea coriacea marlberry ardisia escallonoides pigeon plum coccoloba diversifolia satinleaf chrysophyllum oliviforme poisonwood metopium toxiferum and white stopper eugenia axillaris. The forest floor is the rainforest s bottom most layer which receives only 2 of the sunlight. Tropical hardwood hammocks are closed canopy forests dominated by a diverse assemblage of evergreen and semi deciduous tree and shrub species mostly of west indian origin. While at the local beach you see pelicans capturing fish by plunge diving.

Thus relatively larger animals of the tropical rainforest like the okapi the tapir the sumatran rhinoceros etc inhabit. The hot humid climate of the world s tropical regions provide ideal conditions for plant life. An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant.