The Tropical Rainforest Flashcards
Why are tropical rainforests so diverse?
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
Describe the climate of the rainforest in 2 words.
Warm and wet
Name the 4 layers of the rainforest
Forest floor, understory, canopy, emergent layer
What are drip tip leaves?
Leaves have waxy surfaces and pointy ends
Enables excess rainwater to run-off easily
Prevents algae growing which could block sunlight and stop photosynthesis
What are buttress roots?
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!
Why is bark smooth in the rainforest?
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)
How have sloths adapted to live in the rainforest?
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
How has a jaguar adapted to live in the rainforest?
Powerful jaws make it an efficient killer
Spotted fur helps with camouflage
Good swimmers
What is deforestation?
Cutting down of trees
Why are areas deforested in the Amazon?
Agriculture
Infrastructure
Logging
Mining
Energy
What is the leading cause of deforestation in the Amazon?
Agriculture - 65%
What is rainforest degradation?
Reduction in the services provided by the rainforest.
Name 3 goods provided by the rainforest.
Food
Medicine
Water
Name 4 services that the rainforest provides.
Air purification
Climate control
Nutrient cycle
Water cycle
How does population increase impact the rate of deforestation?
More people the more mouths the feed - more space needed for agriculture/ranching.
How does development impact the rate of deforestation?
More development the more meat introduced to diets - more space need for ranching.
Define sustainability
Actions that meet the needs of the present without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs
How can deforestation be managed?
Selective logging
Debt swap
Education
International agreements
Ecotourism
Afforestation
What is selective logging?
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.
What is ecotourism?
Ecotourism is a branch of sustainable tourism which means conserving the environment and improves the well being of local people.
Name the 3 stores of the nutrient cycle.
Biomass
Litter
Soil
How is nutrient added to the nutrient cycle?
Precipitation- nutrients dissolved in rainwater
Weathering - breakdown of rock
How is nutrient lost from the nutrient cycle?
Leaching
Surface run off
What is afforestation?
Replanting areas of forest which have previously been damaged or destroyed, using native tree species.
