Page 32-33 Tropical Rainforest

Question 1

Where are tropical rainforests found

Answer 1

Close to the equator

Question 2

What is the climate of tropical rainforests

Answer 2

Hot and humid

Question 3

What does the concentrated sunlight towards the equator suggest about the rainfall

Answer 3

There will be high annual rainfall

Question 4

Give three characteristics only found in tropical rainforests

Answer 4

• 2000-3000 mm rainfall
• 25-30 C
• No distinct season

Question 5

What fraction of the worlds plant species is found in tropical rainforests

Answer 5

More than 2/3

Question 6

Name the various layers of vegetation

Answer 6

• high emergent layer (evergreens)
• mid level canopies
• low level shrubs

Question 7

What is a problem with most rainforests soil

Answer 7

It is not very fertile as the heavy rain washes away nutrients

Question 8

Where do most nutrients come from

Answer 8

Dead matter that decomposes quickly due to hot , humid conditions

Question 9

Why is there dense vegetation in rainforests

Answer 9

The constant warm , wet weather speeds up the nutrient cycle

Question 10

How much of the world’s animal species reside in tropical rainforests

Answer 10

Half of the world

Question 11

Give three examples of species in rainforests

Answer 11

• Toucans
• Jaguars
• Gorillas

Question 12

How do people survive in the rainforest

Answer 12

Via hunting , fishing and growing plants

Question 13

What does interdependence of the ecosystem mean

Answer 13

If one element of an ecosystem changes, other parts will be affected as they are reliant

Question 14

Tropical rainforests have the _____ biodiversity of all the global ecosystems on Earth.

Answer 14

Greatest

Question 15

How much biodiversity does tropical rainforests cover in the entire world

Answer 15

7%

Question 17

Why do plants adapt in tropical rainforests

Answer 17

Poor soil , heavy rainfall and competition for sunlight

Question 18

Give four plant adaptions in tropical rainforests and what they do

Answer 18

• Smooth bark : helps water run off quickly preventing damage
• Tall trees : adapted for sunlight intake , developed sturdy roots
• Epiphytes : plants that have adapted to grow on other plants to absorb more minerals and water
• Shallow roots : helps plants draw nutrients from the soil

Question 19

State four animal adaptions in the tropical rainforests and what its use is for

Answer 19

Poison dart frog : toxic glands , bright skin to scare off predators

Bats : nocturnal allows them to avoid hot temperatures and competition from other species

Glasswing butterflies : transparent wings allows them to blend in and hide

Toucans : long curved beaks for reaching otherwise unreachable food