Question

Which of the following is most likely to be a limiting factor for growth on the floor of a tropical rainforest?

a.
water
b.
shelter
c.
sunlight
d.
prey

Answer 1

I think the correct answer from the choices listed above is option C. It is the sunlight that most likely to be a limiting factor for growth on the floor of a tropical rain forest since the trees block sunlight and without this it is impossible for plants to grow and develop.

Answer 2

The correct answer is - c. sunlight.

The sunlight, or rather lack of it, is the biggest limiting factor for growth on the floor of the rainforests. The dense canopies of the higher trees block the sunlight to reach the floor of the rainforest, thus the plants growing in the shades are much smaller, have become specialized for life without or with very little sunlight. They are not able to compete with the trees that are very high to reach the upper parts of the forest and get direct sunlight, so they are on the floor, in the shades. In fact these plants have become so specialized to life without sunlight that if the big trees are removed and they are exposed to the sun they will not manage to survive.