VIRTUAL TRAIL

3 – The tropical rain forest is constantly changing. An example of this can bee seen here, with the occurrence of a treefall gap. This gap in the forest was opened when a tree fell over, pulling with it other trees which were linked to it by the many vines hanging across their branches; the trees died but the lianas survived,
a testimony of their flexibility and resistance. The gap has created a microclimatic change. More light hits the ground, causing a very slight increase in temperature. This change in temperature will, in turn, allow seeds of different species of trees and other plants to germinate and grow very fast due to the high light intensity in the clearing. These are known as pioneer species, and many of their seeds have been dormant for several years, even decades, ‘waiting’ for just such an opportunity. It’s very possible that the composition of plant species in this new patch of forest will be totally different than the surrounding forest! Thus a fallen tree and its subsequent light gap create a contest to see which species of trees will eventually take over a site.