Fragile Ecosystems

Question 1

Where are rainforests located

Answer 1

• Located in a belt around the equator
• The largest rainforests are in the Amazon River Basin (South America), the Congo River Basin (Western Africa) amd throughout much of south east Asia
• smaller rainforests are located in Central America, Madagascar, Australia and nearby islands, India and other locations in the tropics

Question 2

What is the climate in a rainforest

Answer 2

• Hot and humid, where it rains virtually everyday
• Rainfall is often between 125-660cm a year
• The temperature rarely gets higher than 34°C or drops below 22°C
• Average humidity is between 77 and 88%

Question 3

What is the type of rainfall in a rainforest

Answer 3

Convectional rainfall

Question 4

How does convectional rainfall work

Answer 4

1. The sun rises high by midday
2. The sun heats up the ground
3. Air next to the ground is heated
4. Water evaporates from the ground and trees
5. Warm air rises
6. Air cools and condensation occurs
7. White or cumulus clouds form
8. Cumulonimbus storm clouds form
9. Heavy rainfall

Question 5

What are the 4 layers of the rainforest

Answer 5

Forest floor, under-canopy, canopy and emergent