1. Amazing Adaptations
What is the structure like in the
rainforest and how have plants and
animals adapted to live there?
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?

2. How are the plants in the rainforest
structured?
• Can we as a class model the rainforest?
A
B
C
D
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?

3. 10m
20m
40m
30m
Shrub
Layer
Under
Canopy
Canopy
Emergents
Lianas: Vine-like
plants which use large
trees as a support to
climb up to the canopy
Thin soils
because
nutrients are
quickly used up
Buttress roots:
Stand above the
ground to support
tall trunks
Little
undergrowth
because the
sunlight can’t
reach ground
layer
In the morning the sun
shines, this makes the
water in the system
evaporate, rise and
then condensate to
form clouds…
By the afternoon
it is raining!Whatever the
weather, lots of
animals live in the
rainforest!
Plants, like lianas, have
also adapted to life in the
rainforest. For example,
some have ‘drip-tips’ so
that the water runs off
them
The whole
rainforest works
together as a
‘system’

4. Your turn
1. Complete the Tropical
Rainforest Structure and
Adaption handout.
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?

5. Nutrient cycle
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?

6. Nutrient Cycle
• Complete the following diagram on the
nutrient cycle:
- The roots quickly take up
the nutrients again
- The nutrients help the
vegetation to grow.
- Decomposers release the
nutrients from them.
- Dead leaves and animal
waste fall all year round.
- The soil down here is
poor because the nutrients
don’t get a chance to sink
in.
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?

7. How have the trees in the rainforest adapted to
suit the environment?
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?

8. How have the trees in the rainforest adapted to
suit the environment?
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?

9. How have the trees in the rainforest adapted to
suit the environment?
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?

10. How have the trees in the rainforest adapted to
suit the environment?
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?

11. How has the TRF adapted to the
environment?
• Label the following statements on your
sketch of the rainforest …
1. Leaves have drip tips so that they are not damaged
with the daily heavy rainfall in the forest.
2. Buttress roots are used to anchor trees into the thin
soil which can not support a deep root system.
3. On the ground level plants have large frond like
leaves to capture as much sunlight as possible.
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?

12. How have these animals adapted to life in
the rainforest?
Toucans have very strong legs to grip
onto the branches in the canopy, with
two toes pointing forward and two
pointing backwards! Their big beak help
communication and collecting fruits and
insects!
Pygmy marmosets are well
camouflaged against trees
and have very sharp claws
and teeth. Their teeth have
adapted to eat tree sap and
gum.
Crocodiles have very strong
tails and jaws making it a
very effective predator
The hard shell of a tortoise and the fact
that it can hide inside its shell means that
it can protect itself from most predators.
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?

13. Your turn!
• Now you have the chance to design either
your own new plant or animal!
• Make sure that it is clearly labelled as to how
it has adapted to live in the rainforest.
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?

14. Animal Adaptations Plant Adaptations
Some ideas here from the Bird of Paradise

16. What is this missing?

19. Homework
• Complete the design of your new plant or
animal.
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?

20. Gimme’ 5
• Think of one new thing that you have learnt
today!

21. What did you see at the rainforest?
LO: What is the structure like in the rainforest and how have plants and animals adapted to live there?