Most of the nutrients the plants need are supplied by the branch and leaf litter that covers the forest floor and that — thanks to the constant heat and humidity — is rapidly decomposed by termites, fungi, and other organisms.
Enamik taimedele vajalikest toitainetest on pärit metsaalust katvast oksa - ja lehekõdust, mis tänu pidevale kuumusele ja niiskusele termiitide, seente ja teiste organismide abil kiirelt lagundatakse.