Question

Tropical rain forests tend to have soils that are nutrient poor, and most of the nutrients are found in the top few inches of the soil.

Which adaptation is most likely found in tropical trees?

deep root systems
shallow root systems
needles

Answer 1

Shallow root systems.

Explanation: In tropical rain forests most nutrients are in the thin upper organic layer, so trees develop wide, shallow roots (often buttress roots and extensive lateral roots) to quickly capture nutrients. Needles are a conifer adaptation for cold/dry conditions, and deep roots are less useful when nutrients are concentrated near the surface.