L1

Question 1

Where are the tropics?

Answer 1

Tropic of Cancer: 23.4 degrees N

Tropic of Capricorn: 23.4 degrees S

Question 2

Describe the differences in temperate and tropical climates

Answer 2

Temperate - temperature follows a cycle

Tropical - more rain, higher temp and less of a cycle, more constant stability

Question 3

What is the average rainfall in tropical forests?

Answer 3

2m/year

Question 4

Describe the general structure of tropical forests

Answer 4

Tall, dense and dark understory

Question 5

How much sunlight reaches the forest floor in tropical rainforest?

Answer 5

1-2%

Question 6

What are the factors that result in the different types of tropical forest seen?

Answer 6

Continental variation
Hydrology
Altitude
Rainfall

Question 7

What type of forest do you find in the amazon?

Answer 7

Moist, composed of the terra firm, which is dry, and the varies, which often floods

Question 8

What type of forest do you fine in borneo?

Answer 8

Dry, diptereocarp and peatsawmp

Question 9

Why do tropical forests matter?

Answer 9

Contain most of the species on earth
Have the most enigmatic wildlife 
Most endemic species
Hyperdiverse
Complex networks of interactions
Provide vital ecosystem services

Question 10

Why do the rainforests have many endemic species?

Answer 10

Speciation occurs within very narrow ranges, which are represented nowhere else on earth

Question 11

How many tree species might you find in one hectare of tropical forest?

Answer 11

650

Question 12

Give some examples of the complex network of interactions in the rainforest

Answer 12

Predation - large exert top down effects on smaller predators
Nutrient cycling
Pollination by birds, insects, birds and bats
Seed dispersal by birds and mammals
Symbiotic relationship where species live together and trade benefits

Question 13

What are devils gardens?

Answer 13

A large stand of trees dominated by one or two ant plant species

Question 14

What the relationship seen between ants and ant plants?

Answer 14

Duroia hirsuta plant provides Myrmelachista schumanni ants with housing in domatia.
Can be very large, with millions of ants, colonies can survive for over 800 years

Question 15

What are domatia?

Answer 15

Structures produced by plants for arthropods to use. Commonly domatia are small chambers inside the plant or made by hairs on leaves that offer shelter to arthropods. The domatia are intended to be used by organisms that have a symbiotic relationship with the plant

Question 16

What is are the local legends to explain the devils gardens?

Answer 16

Known as spirit clearings, are invisible villages of spirits, and the swollen trunks of the trees are caused by fires set by the spirits for Swidden gardens

Question 17

What actually causes the swollen trunks in devils gardens ?

Answer 17

Swollen trunks are inhabited by M. schumanni workers, brood, and queens

Question 18

What is the benefit gained for the trees from the relationship seen in devils gardens?

Answer 18

M. schumanni workers kill other understory plants by injected them with formic acid. Creates clearings in which host plant thrives. Has a selective advantage for host plants

Question 19

What are the ecosystem services provided to us by tropical forests?

Answer 19

Carbon storage, which mitigates climate change
Wood, fruits and animal protein
Hydrological service: rainfall and temp control, prevents erosion and flooding

Question 20

What activities in the tropics are causing the most severe biodiversity loss?

Answer 20

Overexploitation, and habitat loss/degradation