Tropical Rainforests

Question 1

How do epiphytes benefit from growing on other plants?

Answer 1

Receive more sunlight because they are higher up
Receive nutrients from the phorophyte

Question 2

Describe the biodiversity of tropical rainforests

Answer 2

High biodiversity as they are home to over 50% of all Earth’s species

Question 3

Describe the climate of tropical rainforests

Answer 3

Temperature remains fairly constant around 27 degrees
Receive up to 2000mm of rainfall annually

Avoid saying no seasons as views from searches vary

Question 4

Describe the distribution of tropical rainforests

Give 3 points

Where (general)
Largest (specific)
+ a Negative

Answer 4

On or near the equator
Largest is the Amazon found in South America (mainly Brazil)
No tropical rainforests in Europe or Antarctica

Question 5

Define biodiversity

Answer 5

The variety of plant and animal species living in a particular environment

Question 6

Define leaf litter

Answer 6

Dead plant matter rapidly decomposing due to the humid conditions

Question 7

Define stratification

Answer 7

Rainforest layers

Question 8

Define leaching

Spelt with an ea

Answer 8

Loss of nutrients from the soil by being dissolved and carried away by heavy rainfalll

Question 9

Name the soil found in tropical rainforests

Answer 9

Latosol

Question 10

Describe the soil found in tropical rainforests

Answer 10

Infertile and iron rich (making it red in colour)

Question 11

Name the 4 layers of tropical rainforests from shortest to tallest

Answer 11

Forest Floor
Under Canopy
Canopy
Emergent

Question 12

Name 3 examples of animals that live in the emergent layer

Answer 12

Monkeys
Bats
Eagles

Question 13

Describe the emergent layer

Answer 13

50-70m in height
Recieves 100% sunlight

Question 14

Define adaptation

Answer 14

,The process where an organism becomes better suited to its environment, increasing its chance of survival

Question 15

What percentage of Earth’s species can be found in tropical rainforests?

Answer 15

over 50%

Question 16

Name two plants found in tropical rainforests

Answer 16

Lianas and Epiphytes

Question 17

Name 2 plant adaptations to allow water to flow off leaves

Answer 17

Drip tips and waxy leaves

Question 18

Why are some plants adapted so water can flow off easily?

Answer 18

So the water doesn’t weigh the leaf down causing it to snap
To prevent water becoming stagnant and causing growth of bacteria and fungi

Question 19

Why are some rainforest animals brightly coloured?

Answer 19

To attract a mate or warn off predators

Question 20

Name 3 economic positives of deforestation

Answer 20

Mined minerals, such as gold, have a high economic value
Companies will pay taxes to the government allowing them to invest in the country
Development of land will create jobs directly and indirectly (supply industries)

Question 21

Name 2 environmental negatives of deforestation

Answer 21

Pollution of water and loss of rainforest habitat could threaten species with extinction
Prevents the absoption of CO2 by trees, exacerbating the greenhouse effect, global warming and thus climate change

Question 22

Describe the canopy layer

Answer 22

30-50m height
Receives around 95% sunlight

Question 23

Name an animal found in the canopy layer

Answer 23

Macaws

Question 24

Describe the height and light of the under-canopy layer

Answer 24

1-30m height
Receives 5% sunlight

Question 25

Name two animals found in the under-canopy layer

Answer 25

Jaguars
Sloths

Question 26

Describe the forest floor

Answer 26

First metre layer of rainforest
Darkest and dampest rainforest layer
Only 2% of sunlight reaches it

Question 27

Describe an adaptation of sloths

Answer 27

Algae camouflage to hide from predators

Question 28

Describe an adaptation of spider monkeys

Answer 28

Prehensile tail which acts as an extra limb to grasp and swing between trees, allowing them to compete for food