Tropical Rainforests

Question 1

Where are tropical rainforests found?

Answer 1

Tropical rainforests are found in a belt through the Tropics in: Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, Central Africa and Northern Australia.

Tropical rainforests are found close to the equator in a long belt through the Tropics. They can be found in Central and South America, Central Africa, South East Asia and Northern Australia. Some countries where they can be found are Ecuador, Brazil, Ghana, Indonesia and Australia

Question 2

What is the nutrient cycle?

Answer 2

When leaves/animals die and decompose and the nutrients go back into the soil

Question 3

What are the three steps of the nutrient cycle?

Answer 3

1. Dead leaves decompose (rot) rapidly on the surface due to hot and humid conditions
2. The decomposed leaves release nutrients into the soil
3. Trees and plants have shallow roots to absorb these nutrients

Question 4

What is climate?

Answer 4

The long-term state of the atmosphere/weather conditions over a long period of time

Question 5

What is leaching?

Answer 5

Heavy rainfall dissolves and carry away the nutrients

Question 6

What is biodiversity?

Answer 6

The variety of plants and animals in a habitat

Question 7

What is the climate like in tropical rainforests?

Answer 7

It is warm and wet all year round. Temperatures are high and constant. Rainfall is high but varied. August to January is a distinct wet season.

Question 8

What is the average temperature?

Answer 8

27°C

Question 9

What is the average rainfall?

Answer 9

2000mm

Question 10

How many layers are there in the rainforest?

Answer 10

4

Question 11

Name the layers of the tropical rainforest

Answer 11

1. Forest floor/shrub layer
2. Under canopy
3. Canopy
4. Emergent

Question 12

What are three plant adaptations in the rainforests?

Answer 12

• Drip tip leaves - they allow heavy water to drip off their leaves so they can reach the ground
• Buttresses - massive ridges support the bases of tall trees and transport water
• Epiphytes - Live on branches high in the canopy to seek sunlight. They get their nutrients from water and air rather than the soil

Question 13

What are three animal adaptations in the rainforests?

Answer 13

• Anteater - Have long, sticky tongues and huge paws and claw to get ants out of nests.
  Long tails help them to balance on trees
• Squirrel monkey - have long tails that enables them to balance on the canopy. They have short, strong thighs which give them power so they can leap from tree to tree
• Poison dart frog - Spit out poison to defend themselves. Suction pads help them to cling onto trees and leaves while climbing. Their bright colour warns predators

Question 14

What is deforestation?

Answer 14

The cutting down of trees

Question 15

What is logging?

Answer 15

Felling of trees

Question 16

What is mining?

Answer 16

Digging underground for minerals

Question 17

What is commercial farming?

Answer 17

Farming for money

Question 18

What is subsistence farming?

Answer 18

Farming for food

Question 19

Where is Malaysia?

Answer 19

In the south east of Asia

Question 20

How much of Malaysia is covered by forest?

Answer 20

67%

Question 21

When did Malaysia have the world’s highest rate of deforestation?

Answer 21

From 2000-2012

Question 22

When did Malaysia become the world’s largest exporter of tropical wood?

Answer 22

In the 1980s

Question 23

What are six causes of deforestaion?

Answer 23

1. Mineral extraction: mining for tin and smelt. Leads to clearing away trees and also water pollution. Results to loss of biodiversity and lack of clean water.
2. Logging: clear felling. Done to export tropical wood which generates income for the country
3. Commercial farming: largest exporter of palm oil in the world
4. Subsistence farming: tribes use fire to clear the land. These fires can grow out of control and can destroy large areas of forest
5. Population pressure: some people are moving to the rainforest, so land needs to be cleared for these settlers. Some set up plantations.
6. Energy development: dams are built to generate electricity so land needs to be cleared. Floods can occur forcing wildlife and people to migrate.

Question 24

What are three impacts of deforestation?

Answer 24

• Soil erosion
• Loss of biodiversity
• Climate change

Question 25

What is deforestation driven by?

Answer 25

Profit

Question 26

What are the economic gains of deforestation?

Question 27

What are the economic losses of deforestation?

Question 28

Give five reasons why rainforests should be saved. Include explanations

Question 29

What does sustainable mean?

Question 30

Give three strategies to sustainably manage rainforests