Summary

In this module, we have examined various aspects of the plants found in tropical forests. We first looked at some of the characteristics of tropical vegetation, in all its diversity. Tropical plants show a huge range of sizes and forms, and these are often mixed together in a bewilderingly complex picture. Looking from above, the canopy of a tropical forest usually shows a wide range of leaf forms, and this variety persists as one moves from the canopy to the ground. Some tropical forests have such dense canopies that the herb layer is relatively sparse. Other, more open, forests have a complex and diverse herb layer.

The number of individuals capable of identifying the plant species present in a forest is limited. Quite a few people can identify trees at least to the family level, and some are able to identify individual tree, shrub and herb species, especially within a local context. These identification skills are important, especially as we try and determine the conservation status of different species. They are also a fundamental aspect of the ecology of tropical forests.

While trees may be identifiable, it is necessary to have access to the forest canopy to identify the wide range of epiphytes that may be present. Such access has only become available in recent years, and numerous discoveries are still being made. Such discoveries include both plants and animals.

Knowledge of the fungi and micro-organisms found in tropical forest is exceptionally sparse. This contrasts with their importance, and it is not entirely clearly why they have been so neglected, although they are notoriously difficult to work with. In this module, we have only been able to touch on the subject, but a more detailed examination is outside the scope of this course.