Tropical rainforests Flashcards
1
Q
temperature variation
A
only varies by around 2 degrees c all year-no seasons
2
Q
average annual rainfall
A
1250mm-6600mm
3
Q
how much of the earth’s surface do rainforests cover?
A
it used to be 14% but it is now 6% as a result of deforestation
4
Q
how much of the world’s oxygen does the amazon rainforest provide?
A
20%
5
Q
vegetation adaptations
A
- tall trees (emergents) reach up to 45m to reach sunlight
- drip tips shed heavy rainfall
- trees are straight and branchless at the bottom
- buttress roots anchor and support trees and absorb nutrients
- leathery leaf surface can withstand sun’s rays
- epiphytes and lianas
6
Q
average daily temperature
A
26 degrees c
7
Q
forest floor
A
rich in nutrients from decaying plant matter
8
Q
soil
A
latosol
9
Q
what is a latosol?
A
- weathered read clay soil
- deep red or yellow
- thin base layer of iron and aluminium oxides
- thin humus layer of nutrients on top
- vulnerable to leaching
10
Q
rainforest structure
A
40m-emergents 30m-canopy 20m-under canopy 10m-shrub layer 0m-forest floor
11
Q
describe the canopy
A
dense layer of trees
many hardwoods eg. mahogany
12
Q
locations
A
narrow belt either side of the equator, form 0-10 degrees lattitude
