Ch 6.2 What are the characteristics of tropical rainforest? Flashcards
What are the characteristics of vegetation in tropical rainforests?
- Luxuriant and evergreen.
- Trees developed to a great height.
- Layered/ Stratified structure: 5 layers with varied tree/ plant height
What are the relationship of the characteristic of luxuriant and evergreen with the physical environment?
- Plants grow throughout the year because the hot and wet climate favours plant growth.
- There is no obvious seasonal pattern to the flowering, fruiting and shredding of leaves. Fallen leaves are quickly replaced by new ones. Trees thus remain green all year round.
What are the relationship of the characteristic of trees developed to a great height with the physical environment?
Hot and wet climate favours tree growth.
What are the relationship of the characteristic of 5 layers with varied plant height with the physical environment?
The keen competition for sunlight and nutrients results in the layered structure of vegetation, with distinctive microclimates and species.
What are the 5 layers of the vegetation in tropical rainforest?
- Emergent layer.
- Canopy layer.
- Young tree layer.
- Shrub layer.
- Undergrowth & ground layer.
What are the characteristics of emergent layer?
- Giant trees (Known as emergents)
- Widely spaced.
- With broad and umbrella-shaped crowns, high branches, thick and straight trunks and buttress roots.
What are the characteristics of canopy layer?
- Tall trees.
- Close and continuous canopy.
- With oral-shaped crowns, high branches and straight trunks and buttress and roots.
What are the characteristics of young tree layer?
- Short trees.
- Sparsely spaced.
- With conical crowns and slender trunks.
What are the characteristics of shrub layer?
Sparse vegetation of short shrubs, ferns and other plants.
What are the characteristics of undergrowth and ground layer?
- Little undergrowth.
- Mostly mosses and lichens.
