An abundance of plants actually start out as epiphytes but continue to grow as full-sized trees if they are successful (“Rainforest”). One of the most important, as well as the most interesting plant species of the Tropical rainforest ecosystem is the strangler fig. What makes them so interesting is the way they grow. Strangler figs start out as epiphytes when they find a place high in the canopy of a tall tree as they are adapted to this (“Rainforest”). It then sends down roots onto the ground as they become shrubs, although it still uses the host tree for physical support. Eventually, as it shoots down more roots, it starts to grow around the host tree, killing it. The strangler fig then takes over their place (“Rainforest”).
Not only does the Tropical rainforest have fascinating plants, but animals as well. It is home to more animal species than anywhere else in the world. It is likely that more than 90% of the Earth’s species live in this ecosystem and most of them are native to this region (“Endemic”). Some of the native species that really distinguish the Tropical rainforest from anywhere else are the primates, and to be more specific, the