Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges
Tropical North Queensland, Australia.
[ Site Map ] [
Rainforest Search Engine ]
Back ] Home ] Up ]



Buttressed Tree Trunks

Buttre~1.jpg (14018 bytes)

Photo: C & D Frith Australian Tropical Rainforest Life

Buttressed Tree Trunks:

  • Buttresses are a feature of many trees in all tropical rainforests. They are woody flanged extensions that radiate outwards from the lower part of the tree trunk and often reach large proportions, sometimes up to 10 metres in height.
  • The evolution and function of buttresses remain somewhat unknown, although to some extent they support the tree’s weight in shallow soils by taking up strains and stresses if conditions are windy. However, it has been demonstrated recently that the same number of trees with buttresses fell down in cyclones than without.
  • Extending out horizontally on, or just beneath, the forest floor there are shallow root systems in buttressed trees. These roots appear to be important adaptations to the various soil conditions in the rainforest. Many rainforest soils are shallow and can easily become waterlogged, and the nutrient concentration is often highest nearer to the surface than at great depths. In these sorts of conditions, shallow roots are more efficient than the common deep tap root system.



Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges
Lake Eacham, Atherton Tablelands
Tropical North Queensland, Australia.
PH & Fax: 07 4095 3754 International: 61 7 4095 3754

http://www.rainforest-australia.com/accommodation


Book Online Now

A great Australian rainforest experience

Click Here To Send An Email

[Accommodation ]
[One Bedroom Lodge] [Five Bedroom Lodge] [Guest Lounge
[Directions] [Bookings] [Weather] [Search Engines]
[
Birdwatching Opportunities at The Chambers] [Bushwalking Opportunities at The Chambers]
[Rainforest Environment Surrounding The Chambers] [Nocturnal Animals at The Chambers]
[
Atherton Tableland Natural Attractions You Can See During Your Stay at The Chambers]
[Travel Information for Australia]
[ Tour Group Photos ]

All content, layout and design in this website
are protected by copyright 1998-2017 John Chambers.