The Tropical Rainforest

Question 1

Why are tropical rainforests so diverse?

Answer 1

Rainforests are the supposedly the oldest biome in the world
Size/ scale of the rainforest
Consistent temperature, precipitation, humidity etc (abiotic)
Geographical isolation
Conditions enable consistent and stable food webs
Heterogeneity of the environment allows many organisms to find their niche

Question 2

Describe the climate of the rainforest in 2 words.

Answer 2

Warm and wet

Question 3

Name the 4 layers of the rainforest

Answer 3

Forest floor, understory, canopy, emergent layer

Question 4

What are drip tip leaves?

Answer 4

Leaves have waxy surfaces and pointy ends
Enables excess rainwater to run-off easily
Prevents algae growing which could block sunlight and stop photosynthesis

Question 5

What are buttress roots?

Answer 5

Massive roots which don’t join the main trunk at the tree’s base
Provide extra stability, as the trees have shallow roots but can grow over 30m tall in the canopy layer!

Question 6

Why is bark smooth in the rainforest?

Answer 6

Trees in the UK have thick bark to stop moisture being lost
Rainforest plants don’t need this because there is so much rain!
Bark is thin and smooth, making it harder for other plants to grow on tree surfaces (which could steal light, food etc from the tree)

Question 7

How have sloths adapted to live in the rainforest?

Answer 7

Head turns 270 degrees to see predators
Long sharp claws to help them attach to trees
Dense coat on which lichens grow from camouflage
Slow movement to stay hidden from predators

Question 8

How has a jaguar adapted to live in the rainforest?

Answer 8

Powerful jaws make it an efficient killer
Spotted fur helps with camouflage
Good swimmers

Question 9

What is deforestation?

Answer 9

Cutting down of trees

Question 10

Why are areas deforested in the Amazon?

Answer 10

Agriculture
Infrastructure
Logging
Mining
Energy

Question 11

What is the leading cause of deforestation in the Amazon?

Answer 11

Agriculture - 65%

Question 12

What is rainforest degradation?

Answer 12

Reduction in the services provided by the rainforest.

Question 13

Name 3 goods provided by the rainforest.

Answer 13

Food
Medicine
Water

Question 14

Name 4 services that the rainforest provides.

Answer 14

Air purification
Climate control
Nutrient cycle
Water cycle

Question 15

How does population increase impact the rate of deforestation?

Answer 15

More people the more mouths the feed - more space needed for agriculture/ranching.

Question 16

How does development impact the rate of deforestation?

Answer 16

More development the more meat introduced to diets - more space need for ranching.

Question 17

Define sustainability

Answer 17

Actions that meet the needs of the present without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs

Question 18

How can deforestation be managed?

Answer 18

Selective logging
Debt swap
Education
International agreements
Ecotourism
Afforestation

Question 19

What is selective logging?

Answer 19

The sustainable process of felling trees carried out by certified loggers. In the years before the felling, they will identify, check and mark the trees. Then carefully fell them, lifting the tree from the forest by helicopter or removing it by horse. The company must then check the area for damage before replanting another tree. This is to avoid waste as only the trees needed are felled.

Question 20

What is ecotourism?

Answer 20

Ecotourism is a branch of sustainable tourism which means conserving the environment and improves the well being of local people.

Question 21

Name the 3 stores of the nutrient cycle.

Answer 21

Biomass
Litter
Soil

Question 22

How is nutrient added to the nutrient cycle?

Answer 22

Precipitation- nutrients dissolved in rainwater
Weathering - breakdown of rock

Question 23

How is nutrient lost from the nutrient cycle?

Answer 23

Leaching
Surface run off

Question 24

What is afforestation?

Answer 24

Replanting areas of forest which have previously been damaged or destroyed, using native tree species.