Geography S1 chapter 5 (110-3 quarters of 114&115)

Question 1

what are the special features of adaptations individual tropical rainforests plants have developed to cope with the intense competition for sunlight and high rainfall?

Answer 1

1. broad leaves
2. waxy leaves
3. drip tips
4. buttress roots

Question 2

description of leaves that have drip tips

Answer 2

-small, narrow tips that point downwards
-the drip tips, together with the leaves’ waxy texture, allow rainwater that falls onto them to flow off easily

Question 2

Can mangrove plants grow in freshwater areas?

Answer 2

Yes

Question 2

what trees usually have buttress roots?

Answer 2

tropical rainforest trees that grow to great heights to reach for as much sunlight as possible usually have buttress roots to:
keep them upright & prevent them from toppling over

Question 2

description for broad leaves

Answer 2

-most tropical rainforest plants have broad leaves
-large surface area
-enables plant to absorb as much sunlight as possible in order to make food for its own survival & growth

Question 2

description for waxy leaves

Answer 2

-gives surface a glossy appearance
-helps plant reduce amount of water vapour that is loses to the atmosphere through transpiration as a result of high temperatures in the tropical rainforest

Question 2

why are buttress roots special?

Answer 2

they can grow up to 5 metres above the ground surface

Question 3

why is it important for rainwater that falls onto leaves that have drip tips and a waxy texture to flow off easily?

Answer 3

it helps the leaves to dry quickly and thus prevents the growth of fungi or bacteria on them because of the frequent heavy rainfall that occurs in the tropical rainforest.

Question 3

where can mangrove forests be found?

Answer 3

mangrove forests are a unique type of natural vegetation that if often found along or very close to the coast

Question 4

what is the mangrove forest made up of?

Answer 4

a group of plant species which are able to grow in water that has a higher salinity compared to fresh water

Question 4

why do tropical rainforest trees tend to have shallow underground roots

Answer 4

to absorb nutrients as quickly as possible.

Question 4

why do mangroves grow better in areas where water salinity is higher?

Answer 4

there is a lack of competition form other types of plants which are unable to grow in such conditions

Question 4

why do tropical rainforest tress require the support provided by buttress roots?

Answer 4

the rest of their roots do not extend very deep beneath the ground surface

Question 4

why are nutrients concentrated in the topmost layer of rainforest soil?

Answer 4

they are released when dead leaves & branches that have fallen onto the ground surface decompose

Question 4

why do most of the areas where mangrove forests are located experience tropical climate? (1)

Answer 4

1. mangrove plants are unable to withstand freezing conditions

Question 5

why do most of the areas where mangrove forests are located experience tropical climate? (2)

Answer 5

2. Mangrove plants grow best where the average air and water temperatures do not fall below 20 degrees Celsius

Question 5

What do most of the areas where mangrove forests are located experience?

Answer 5

tropical climate

Question 5

what water conditions do the mangrove plants require?

Answer 5

they require calm water conditions so that their seedlings are able to take root and grow without getting washed away by strong waves

Question 6

what can be concluded from the reasonings behind why the mangrove plants experience the tropical climate?

Answer 6

they are unable to survive in places very far north or south of the tropics

Question 6

What do the calm water conditions (mangrove plants) encourage?

Answer 6

The accumulation of fine sediments containing nutrients, which mangrove plants require to sustain their growth

Question 7

(summary of) where mangrove forests can be found?

Answer 7

usually only in sheltered environments along or very close to the coast (eg: shallow river mouths or behind islands)

Question 8

are mangrove plants evergreen like tropical rainforest plants?

Answer 8

yes

Question 9

what can some species of mangrove plants do compared to other species?

Answer 9

they are able to survive in water of higher salinity and withstand longer periods of flooding by the tide

Question 9

what is the diversity of mangrove forests compared to tropical rainforests?

Answer 9

lower diversity (not many plant species have evolved to survive in waters of higher salinity)

Question 10

what is the definition of zonation?

Answer 10

zonation refers to the distribution of plants in specific areas according to certain parameters, each characterised by dominant species

Question 10

what does the lower density of trees in a mangrove forest compared to in a tropical rainforest result in?

Answer 10

less competition for sunlight

Question 11

why are mangrove plants relatively uniform in terms of height?

Answer 11

the coastal environment is difficult for plants to survive in, thus, the mangrove plants need to obtain as much energy from the Sun unlike the plants which can survive in relatively dark undergrowth layer of tropical rainforests

Question 12

what zonation do mangrove forests tend to exhibit?

Answer 12

horizontal zonation that is largely determined by the high and low tide