Tropical Rainforests Flashcards
Where are tropical storms found?
Broad belt close to the equator from South America in the west, through West Africa to Southeast Asia and Australia in the east.
What are the physical characteristics of a Tropical storm related to climate?
Very warm (about 27 degree celsius)
Very wet - high rainfall
What does this climate do for Tropical rainforests?
Creates ideal growing conditions and accounts for the lush vegetation growth.
What is the process leaching?
When excessive water soaks into the soil, dissolving and transporting away nutrients.
What happens to nutrients in a rainforest?
Nutrients are concentrated in the uppertopsoil and are very quickly taken up by the plants as they grow.
Plants can survive with the poor soil because of…
the rapid cycling of nutrients.
The warm, humid climate is ideal for plant growth.
Why do plants have shallow roots?
To maximise their use of the vital nutrients.
What do birds do in the rainforest?
Live in the canopy (branches and leaves) high above the forest floor, feeding on seeds and nectar from flowering plants.
Why is there a large amount of competition in rainforests for animals?
Because there is a lot of food and water all through the year.
Mammals are well…
adapted to life in the trees.
What do snakes do in a rainforest?
Use the trunks of trees as vertical highways from the forest floor to the canopy above.
What do deers and rodents do in a rainforest?
Browse on vegetation on the forest floor.
Why is there a large number of deforestation in rainforests for commercial farming?
Clearing of land, whether it is crops or animals.
Logging, so trees could be used for wood and paper
Why is there a large number of deforestation in rainforests for Mineral extraction?
Cleared for mining and roads.
Why is there a large number of deforestation in rainforests for Logging?
So trees could be used for wood and paper
Why is there a large number of deforestation in rainforests for Roads?
So that the various commercial operations can be accessed.
How are the nutrients stored in tropical rainforests?
Vast majority of nutrients are stored in the biomass.
Soil contains few nutrients, as any nutrients released by decomposers are quickly absorbed by the trees and plants.
Few nutrients in the litter store, as decomposers, thriving in the warm and wet conditions, quickly break down dead leaves and branches.
How are Tropical rainforests of great value to people related to resources?
Tropical rainforests are rich in reserves of wood, nut and fruit as well as minerals.
Everyday items such as bananas come from tropical rainforests
How are tropical rainforests of great value to people related to Medicine?
About 25% of all medicines come from rainforest plants, and more than 2,000 plants have anti - cancer properties.
How are rainforests of great value to people related to Inidgenous tribes?
Thousands of people live in the rainforest, with their lives depending on maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
How are rainforests of great value to people related to Energy?
High rainfall totals in rainforests create the potential for hydro-electric power.
Electricity can provide much-needed light and power for local people.
How are rainforests of great value to people related to Employment?
Rainforests can provide employment opportunites in tourism for guides or stewards.
Other opportunites in construction, farming and mining.
How are rainforests of great value to the environment related to water?
Rainforests are important spurces of freshwater. About 20% of the world’s freshwater comes from the Amazon Basin.
How are rainforests of great value to the environment related to biodiversity?
Tropical rainforests contain 50% of the world’s plants and animals, including thousands of different species.
