Climate of tropical rainforests,characteristics

Question 1

Where are tropical rainforests located?

Answer 1

tropical rainforests are located at tropical climates and places close to the equator

Question 2

How is the earth divided spatially?

Answer 2

The three climatic zones are the tropical climate ,polar climate,temperate climate

Question 3

What are the latitudinal references and what is its purpose?

Answer 3

1. Equator
   
   2. Tropic of cancer
   3. Arctic circle
   4. Tropic of Capricorn
   5. Antarctic circle

Question 4

What is defined as a tropical climate?

Answer 4

Annual temperature is high and constant .There is a high amount of rainfall annually,There is no distinct dry season and no fluctuation sin temperature.

Question 5

What is the type of natural vegetation found in tropical climates

Answer 5

Tropical rainforests

Question 6

What is the Distribution of tropical rainforests in the world?

Answer 6

The northern part of south america and the central and western part of Africa and in southeast asia.

Question 7

How does the vegetation grow so dense and well?

Answer 7

The high and constant temperatures allow constant growth.The high rainfall allows the vegetation to grow constantly,There is no winter season allowing the plants to always grow with no limitations.

Question 8

Why is there such a large ecosystem of plant and animal species?

Answer 8

With no seasons and a Good supply of rainfall,plants can grow an devolve and the variety of flora supports the evolution of fauna.

Question 9

What are the three layers of the forest and what are its main function?

Answer 9

The tropical forests vegetation has adapted itself to the physical environment of the rainforest as the layers try to maximise its exposure to sunlight for photosynthesis

Question 10

Why are barks thin ?

Answer 10

As the temperatures are high the trees do not need thick barks to protect them from extreme weather

Question 11

Why are barks smooth?

Answer 11

The bark is smooth to allow excess water to flow off reducing the possibility of moss and fungus growing on it

Question 11

why are the tree trunks straight?

Answer 11

Straight trunks are most efficient in finding the most direct route to the top of the tree to obtain sunlight

Question 12

Why are the branches at the very top of the tree?

Answer 12

The trees have branches at the very top so that they can obtain as much sunlight as possible for photosysthesis, as there is very little sunlight beneath the canopy.

Question 13

Why are roots shallow and wide spreading?

Answer 13

There is an ample amount of water available near the surface due to the high rainfall in a tropical climate, so the roots of tropical rainforest trees do not need to develop deep tap roots to search for water deep in the ground.
The roots of tropical rainforest trees
are wide spreading to obtain the nutrients found close to the surface, as decomposition takes place quickly on the ground due to the tropical climate.

Question 14

What do butress roots do?

Answer 14

Tropical rainforest trees need buttress roots as they provide support for tall trees, keeping them Upright to prevent them from toppling over

Question 15

Why are there bright coloured flowers?

Answer 15

Within the canopy, there is little wind to help with the dispersal of seeds, so plants have brightly coloured and strong-smelling fruits and flowers to attract animals who will then help disperse the seeds.

Question 16

What are the purpose of winged seeds

Answer 16

Beneath the canopy layer, some tropical rainforest plants have winged seeds to catch as much wind as possible to disperse so that they can reproduce and not grow too

Question 17

What are the purpose of leaves

Answer 17

Beneath the canopy layer, some tropical rainforest plants have winged seeds to catch as much wind as possible to disperse so that they can reproduce and not grow too

Question 18

Canopy layer purpose

Answer 18

Many trees in the canopy layer grow up to 20 -30m in height.
❑Trees in this layer have branches that spread out to form an almost continuous layer.
❑The continuous nature of the canopy usually blocks out air movement under this layer. Thus, there is hardly any wind or sunlight under this layer within the forest.

Question 19

Emergent layer purpose

Answer 19

There are tall trees known as ‘emergent trees’ (up to 50-80m in height)
❑ These tall trees rise through the canopy and tower above other trees.
❑These tree normally strong buttress roots and straight trunks.

Question 20

Purpose of undergrowth layer?

Answer 20

Lianas and epiphytes are found. Lianas are thick woody vines that grow from the ground and twine up trees. They can grow up to 100m or beyond. Epiphytes are plants which grow on trees.
❑Buttress roots could also be seen in this later. These buttress can be as high as 5m above the ground.

Question 21

Purpose of waxy leaves?

Answer 21

Due to the high annual rainfall, the waxy leaves could help the rain drops to fall off the leaves to prevent bacteria or fungi from Growing on the leaves

Question 22

Purpose of broad leaves?

Answer 22

The broad leaves is to allow for absorption of sunlight for photosynthesis. Broad leaves provide higher chance of for them to capture sunlight because of high density in the canopy area – canopy area

Question 23

Purpose of drip tip and downward sloping leaves?

Answer 23

Due to the high annual rainfall, the drip tip and downward sloping leaves could help the rain drops to fall off the leaves to prevent bacteria or fungi from growing on the leaves.