TROPICAL RAINFORESTS | The Living World 🍀 Flashcards
topic: living world
What are the characteristics of tropical rainforest soils?
Tropical rainforest soils are typically old, deep, and red in color due to the oxidation of iron and aluminium minerals
This type of soil is known as latosol, sometimes referred to as tropical red earth.
What process washes out nutrients from tropical rainforest soils?
Leaching
Leaching is the process where frequently heavy rainfall washes out nutrients such as calcium and potassium.
What is the name of the soil type found in tropical rainforests?
Latosol
‘Lato’ comes from the term ‘laterite’, a red soil or rock rich in iron and aluminium.
How do tropical rainforest soils support lush vegetation despite being infertile?
Through nutrient cycling
Nutrient cycling involves the constant movement of nutrients between biomass, soil, and litter.
Where do the majority of nutrients in tropical rainforests get stored?
In the biomass, mostly in trees and plants
This is significant for the overall health of the rainforest ecosystem.
Why are few nutrients stored as litter in tropical rainforests?
Due to rapid decomposition by fungi and bacteria
The warm and wet conditions in tropical rainforests promote high rates of decomposition.
What causes the rapid uptake of nutrients in tropical rainforest soils?
Rapid uptake by plants and significant leaching
Heavy rainfall contributes to the downward transfer of nutrients by leaching.
What environmental conditions promote nutrient cycling in tropical rainforests?
Warm, wet tropical climate
This climate accounts for the rapid recycling of nutrients through processes like decomposition and leaching.
True or False: The thick arrows in the nutrient cycling diagram indicate significant nutrient stores.
True
The size of the circles and arrows indicates their relative significance in nutrient cycling.
What percentage of the Earth’s land surface is covered by tropical rainforests, and how many species do they support?
Tropical rainforests cover just 7% of the Earth’s land surface but support over half of all plant and animal species on the planet.
What conditions in tropical rainforests help plants thrive?
Long hours of sunlight, high temperatures, and heavy rainfall provide ideal conditions for photosynthesis, enabling plants to store energy and support the rest of the ecosystem.
What is meant by the “stratification” of the rainforest canopy?
Stratification refers to the layering of plants in the rainforest canopy.
The majority of plant and animal species are found in the higher layers where there is the most sunlight, while the forest floor is dark and supports fewer species.
Where do birds, mammals, and other animals live in the tropical rainforest?
Birds: Mostly live in the canopy, feeding on nectar from flowers.
Mammals (e.g., monkeys, sloths): Are well-adapted to living in trees.
Animals like deer, jaguar, rodents: Live on the forest floor alongside fungi and bacteria.
Describe the structure of a rainforest in four layers.
Top canopy (emergent): Emergent trees grow quickly to outcompete others for sunlight.
Canopy: Most rainfall and sulight absorbed here.
Under canopy: Survives on the remaining sunlight and rainfall.
Shrub layer: Damp, moist and dark conditions perfect for decomposition.
Describe how this adaptation is useful to plants in tropical rainforests
Fast growing emergent trees
How does this link to the conditions of the environment?
They grow rapidly to reach sunlight, avoiding being shaded by other trees.
- constant competition for sunlight because of dense, fast-growing vegetation
Describe how this adaptation is useful to plants in tropical rainforests
Drip-tip leaves / smooth bark
How does this link to the conditions of the environment?
They prevent water accumulation, which could encourage fungal growth in the humid climate. Facilitates water runoff and reduces parasite growth, as well as making it harder for animals to climb up.
- The humid and rainy climate necessitates features like drip-tip leaves and smooth bark to manage excess moisture
Describe how this adaptation is useful to plants in tropical rainforests
Buttress roots
How does this link to the conditions of the environment?
Butress roots provide stability for tall trees in shallow, nutrient-poor soils and help absorb water.
- the infertile soil has an extremely nutrient-rich, thin upper layer which is what the roots stretch through.
- the wide roots also support trees which can grow up to 4 metres wide!
Describe how this adaptation is useful to plants in tropical rainforests
Flexible leaf bases
How does this link to the conditions of the environment?
This helps leaves adjust their position to maximize sunlight absorption.
- constant competition for sunlight because of dense, fast-growing vegetation
How are animals adapted to survive in tropical rainforests?
- Camoflage - allows prey to blend in from its predators (eg. tree frogs have textured skin to look like bark)
- Limited diet - eating only things that other animals can’t access (eg. toucan eating fruits only it can crack open)
- Mimicry - animals appear more dangerous than they actually are.
- Habitat adaptation - eg. sloths have long claws and curved feet to grip trees, prehensile tail etc…)
