TROPICAL RAINFORESTS

Question 1

What is the climate of tropical rainforests?

Answer 1

Very wet
Very warm
The temperature never drops below 20°C and rarely exceeds 35°C.
The atmosphere is hot and humid.
The climate is consistent all year round.
There are no seasons.

Question 2

What is the soil like in tropical rainforests?

Answer 2

Most of the soil is not very fertile.
A thin layer of fertile soil is found at the surface where the dead leaves decompose.
It is red in colour because it is rich in iron.
Due to heavy rainfall the nutrients are quickly washed out of the soil.

Question 3

What is it like for plants and animals in tropical rainforests?

Answer 3

The warm and very wet climate provides perfect conditions for plant growth.
The wide range of plant species supports many different animals, birds and insects.
Species have adapted to the conditions of the rainforest, eg trees and plants have shallow-reaching roots to absorb nutrients from the thin fertile layer in the soil.

Question 4

What is the structure of a tropical rainforest?

Answer 4

A tropical rainforest is made up of the following layers:

ground level
shrub layer
under canopy
(main) canopy
emergents

Question 5

What are the threats to the tropical rainforest?

Answer 5

Farming
Logging
Mining
Roads
Hydroelectric power
Population

Question 6

Impacts of deforestation?

Answer 6

Loss of biodiversity
Soil erosion
Climate change
Economic development