Tropical Rainforests

Question 1

How do epiphytes benefit from growing on other plants?

Answer 1

Can receive more sunlight because they are higher up
Can get nutrients from the phorophyte

Question 2

Describe the biodiversity of tropical rainforests

Answer 2

They have a high biodiversity being home to 50% of all Earth’s species.

Question 3

Describe the climate of tropical rainforests

Answer 3

The temperature is 27 and varies very little throughout the year
There are no seasons
They receive up to 2000mm of rainfall a year

Question 4

Describe the distribution of tropical rainforests

Answer 4

Tropical rainforests are found on or near the equator.
The largest tropical rainforest is the Amazon which can be found in South America (mainly in Brazil).
There are no tropical rainforests in Europe or Antarctica.

Question 5

Biodiversity

Answer 5

The amount of different plant and animal species living in an environment

Question 6

Leaf litter

Answer 6

The rapid decay of leaves due to the warm and wet conditions

Question 7

Stratification

Answer 7

The layers of the rainforest

Question 8

Leaching

Answer 8

When heavy rainfall dissolves and carries away nutrients from the soil

Question 9

Name the soil found in tropical rainforests

Answer 9

Latosol

Question 10

Describe the soil found in tropical rainforests

Answer 10

The latosol is infertile and rich in iron (which makes it red in colour).

Question 11

Name the 4 layers of tropical rainforests

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

What height is the emergent layer?

Answer 13

50-80m tall

Question 14

Adaptation

Answer 14

The process where an organism becomes better suited to its environment which increases its chance of survival

Question 15

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

Answer 15

50%

Question 16

Name two plants found in tropical rainforests

Answer 16

Lianas and Epiphytes

Question 17

Name two animals found in tropical rainforests and how they are adapted to their environment

Answer 17

Spider Monkeys - emergent layer - uses its tail as an extra limb to help it swing between trees
Sloths - algae camouflage to hide from predators

Question 18

Name 2 plant adaptations to allow water to flow off leaves

Answer 18

Drip tips and waxy leaves

Question 19

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

Answer 19

So that the water doesn’t weigh the leaf down causing it to snap off the plant

Question 20

Why are some rainforest animals brightly coloured?

Answer 20

To attract a mate or warn off predators

Question 21

Name 3 economic positives of deforestation

Answer 21

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 22

Name 2 environmental negatives of deforestation

Answer 22

Pollution of water and loss of rainforest habitat could lead to loss of wildlife and threat of extinction
Trees will no longer absorb carbon dioxide allowing it to continue warming the planet and contributing to climate change

Question 23

Which metal is particularly mined in Malaysia?

Answer 23

Tin