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Biotic Factors

Ecologically, the biotic factors that exist within the tropical rainforest are the various species of plants and animals. Also, several bacteria, parasites, and fungi exist within this biome.



Plants:
There is a great diversity of plants in the rainforest due to the optimum climate provided due to its soil content and geographical location. Examples of the flora within this biome include epiphytes (plants which grow on branches of high trees for sunlight), lianas (woody vines that grow up tree trunks for sunlight- many are deciduous), climbers (green-stemmed plants that remain in the understory), stranglers (begin as epiphytes in the canopy and reach the forest floor), and heterotrophs (non-photosynthetic plants that live on the forest floor.)



Animals:
There is a highly diverse set of animal life within the biome. The main examples are found among mammals and birds as well as reptiles and amphibians. Several types of great apes and monkeys, such as the Orangutan, Sumatra, Borneo, and the Spider Monkey, reside within the tropical rainforest. Sloths are unique to the rainforest as well, and birds such as toucans help disperse seeds within the biome.

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Bacteria, Parasites, and Fungi:
Bacteria, parasites, as well as fungi find their home within the tropical rainforest and provide specific jobs that help benefit the entire ecosystem. For example, Rafflesia arnoldi, a root parasite of liana plants taps into the roots of photosynthetic plants. Saprophytes derive their nutrients from decaying organic matter

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