Forest as a Resource Flashcards
How do plants adapt to the physical environment? (1-2pt, optional)
The bio-community would adapt to the prevailing climate and physical environment of their habitats in order to survive.
- Adaptations = The physical or behavioural characteristic of an organism that helps an organism to survive better in the surrounding environment (or habitat that they live in).
Where can Tropical Rainforests be found at? (8 places est. optional)
- Tropical Rainforests can be found in Central and South America, Western and Central Africa, Western India, Southeast Asia, the island of New Guinea and Australia.
- e.g. Amazon Rainforest
Where can Tropical Monsoon Rainforests be found at? (5 places est., optional)
- Tropical Monsoon Rainforests can be found in India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Southwest Africa and smaller areas in South and Central America.
- e.g. Chittagong, Bangldesh
Similarities between Tropical Rainforests and Tropical Monsoon Rainforests
- Location
1 main zone, 1 main pt, 8 subpts - 4 general, 1 TR, 3 TMR
- Location – Tropical Climate Zon
e - Both are found in the tropical climate zone, between the Tropic of Cancer (23½°N) and Tropic of Capricorn (23½°S), and are characterized by:
- High mean annual temperature of about 28°C (MAT)
- Heavy rainfall of more than 2000mm of total annual precipitation (TAP)
- Dense and luxuriant vegetation as the hot and wet climate encourages rapid plant growth
- Great species diversity
TR
5. Small annual temp range of 2°C (ATR)
TMR
6. Distinct wet and dry seasons
7. Wet season from April to October with monthly ppt more than 100 mm
8. Dry season from November to Feb with monthly ppt less than 60mm
Similarities between Tropical Rainforests and Tropical Monsoon Rainforests
- Leaves
4 characteristics, 4 pts (1 for each)
- Leaves – Thick and leathery, broad, waxy leaves with drip tips
- To provide maximum surface area to capture the sunlight needed for photosynthesis (i.e food production) (broad)
- to reduce transpiration (waxy)
- to allow rainwater to run off the leaves easily, preventing leaf decay. (drip tips)
- to withstand heat and reduce moisture loss (thick and leathery)
Similarities between Tropical Rainforests and Tropical Monsoon Rainforests
- Produce
2 characteristics, 1 pt
- Produce – Colourful Flowers and Sweet-Smelling Fruits
- to attract insects, birds and animals to aid in pollination.
Similarities between Tropical Rainforests and Tropical Monsoon Rainforests
- Soil
1 characteristics, 2 pts, 1 subpt - one point for TMR
- Soil – Nutrient Poor
- Nutrient-poor because nutrients are not stored in them for very long
→ The heavy rains that occur in rainforests wash away organic material from the soil. - Since there is a dry season in tropical monsoon rainforests, more nutrients can stay in place as compared to tropical rainforests
Differences between Tropical Rainforest and Tropical Monsoon Rainforests: Main Difference?
no clues because you better know this HEHE
- Main difference between Tropical Rainforest and Tropical Monsoon Forests
- Tropical Rainforests goes through the wet season throughout the whole year (therefore forest is evergreen = do not shed leaves) while Tropical Monsoon Rainforests have distinct wet and dry seasons (forest is deciduous = trees shed their leaves during the dry season to minimise loss of water through transpiration)
defining features of TR and TMR? (optional?) - basically main diff.
2pts, 1 subpt
- Every forest has defining features adapted to the particular climate.
- Tropical rainforests are evergreen, dense and luxuriant mainly due to the heavy precipitation.
- On the other hand, tropical monsoon rainforests are deciduous and experience a dry period each year (seasonality).
→ It has led to the evolution of trees that shed leaves during the dry period.
Adaptations of Tropical Rainforest
* Location
1pt
- Location
Equatorial Zone - Found near the equator in the equatorial zone and lie between latitudes 10° north and south of the equator.
Adaptations of Tropical Rainforest
* Nature
1pt, 1 subpt
- Nature
- Evergreen Forests
→ Maintain their leaves throughout the year; do not need to shed leaves before a dry season (UNLIKE MONSOON RAINFORESTS!!)
Adaptations of Tropical Rainforest
* Density
1pt
- Density
- Dense and luxuriant as the spreading branches of the closely-spaced trees are interlocked.
Adaptations of Tropical Rainforest
* Biodiversity
1pt, 1 optional subpt with 2 subsubpts with 3 factors
- Biodiversity
- Rich in biodiversity
- i.e. 300 – 400 species in a hectare of land (it covers less than 2% of Earth’s surface, but house more than 50% of all plants and animals found on land)
1. the hot and wet climate provides a favourable environment for species to thrive; the long growing season and high intensity of sunlight support an abundance of plant and animal species.
2. the canopy structure provides an abundance of places for plants to grow and animals to live.
Adaptations of Tropical Rainforest
* Layered Structure
4pts, 2 2subpts and 2 1subpt
- Layered Structure – 4 Layers
- Emergent Layer
→ Grow 40-50m / trees grow up to 60 m tall
→ Mushroom-shaped crowns - Canopy Layer
→ 20-30m tall
→ Umbrella-shaped crowns form a continuous canopy - Understorey Layer
→ 5-15m tall - Ground Layer (incl. Shrub Layer)
→has sparse vegetation due to very little sunlight reaching the forest floor - Evergreen trees reach great heights, up to 60 metres.
- In contrast, there is sparse undergrowth in the forest floor.
Adaptations of Tropical Rainforest
* Tree Trunk and Bark
2pts, 1 subpt, 2subpt
- Tree Trunk and Bark
- Tall and Thin
→to allow trees to reach the sunlight - Thin, Smooth Bark
→ To allow water to flow down to the roots easily
→ To minimise growth of other plants on their surface
