tropical rainforest Flashcards
what is a tropical rainforest
living and non living parts of an environment and the relationship that exists between them
what is a biome
a biome is a group of ecosystems that have a similar climate and smilier plants and animals.
examples of biomes
-tundra
-taiga
-tropical rainforest
-temperate rainforests
-desserts
food Chain
producer
primary consumer
secondary consumer
apex predator
what is biomass
organic material from plants and animals
what is leaching
nutrients in soil are washed away by the rain
what is weathering
rock wears away
what is interdependence
plants and animals depend on each other for survival
layers of the rainforest
EMERGENT= highest layer
CANOPY= receives most of
sunlight and rainfall
UNDER CANOPY=trees that reach 20m
SHRUB LAYER= lowest layer
what do decomposers do
-breakdown dead plant and animal matter like bacteria and fungi
-have nutrients so they can grow again
-releases nutrients into the soils
what is the nutrient cycle
exchange of nutrients between places of storage like soil and biomass
physical factors that affect an ecosystem
-drought
-floods
human factors that affect an ecosystem
-deforestation
-farmers spraying fertilisers
case study:
Horbury Lagoon
why is Horbury Lagoon an important habitat for species
-common reed is main producer
-herons nest in reed bed and feed on fish
-dragonflies Lay eggs in water so
-produces habitats
characteristics of tropical rainforest
-very high annual rainfall
-high average temperatures
-nutrient poor soil
-high levels of biodiversity
why does the tropical rainforest have nutrient poor soil
due to leaching
what is convectional rainfall
-sun heats ground
-evapotransportation (moisture on ground evaporates)
-air rises and cools
-condensation occurs and forms clouds
-heavy rainfall
examples of plant adaptations
-buttress roots
-lianas
-fan palms
adaptations of fan palms
large fan shaped leaves good for catching sunshine and water.
leaves are segmented so excess water can drain away
adaptations of lianas
wood vines that climb up trees snd spread from tree to tree to gets much sunlight as possible
