Unit 1

Question 1

Characteristics of tropical rainforest

Answer 1

• high annual rainfall
• high annual mean temperature
• high relative humidity

Question 2

Definition of TRF

Answer 2

lies between north and south of the equator, mainly between 10N and 10S

Question 3

What is the climatic condition of the TRF

Answer 3

equatorial climate, hot and humid

Question 4

Temperature of TRF (why is it like that?)
- Where is it located..?

Answer 4

It is located at a low latitude, results in a large angle of sun throughout the year , high solar radiation

Question 5

Temperature of TRF (temporal pattern)
- what results as the location of the TRF

Answer 5

high annual mean temperature, small annual range of temperature. No obvious seasonality.

Question 6

Rainfall pattern of TRF (why is it like that)
- location?

Answer 6

• they are located along the intertropical convergence zone
• strong convection current is formed as winds from the northern and southern hemisphere coverage at ITCZ

Question 7

Rainfall pattern of TRF (temporal pattern )

Answer 7

• high annual rainfall
• wet all year round
• relative humidity constantly above 90%
• rain mostly falls in the afternoon as form of convection rain

Question 8

List the soil characteristics

Answer 8

• Thin humus layer
• Reddish and acidic
• infertile
• Thick soil profile

Question 9

Explain why thin humus layer is formed

Answer 9

• dense vegetation results in a lot of litter, when litter decays, it forms a layer of humus. Under hot and wet climate, humus are quickly decomposed.

Question 10

Explain why climate results in reddish and acidic soil

Answer 10

heavy rain caused strong leaching.
Residual accumulation of insoluble minerals, iron and aluminium oxide makes it acidic. presence of iron oxide makes is red in colour

Question 11

Explain why is the soil infertile

Answer 11

There are limited nutrients in top soil released from litter and humus through decomposition.
- absorbed by plants
- leached away by rain

Question 12

Explain why theres a thick soil profile

Answer 12

Formed by intense weathering, hot and wet climate favours chemical weathering.

Question 13

State the biotic components of TRF

Answer 13

-huge biomass
- evergreen vegetation
- stratified vegetation
- high biodiversity

Question 14

What are the causes of both huge biomass and evergreen vegetation

Answer 14

the climate. Hot and wet climate (no seasonality) throughout the year provides ideal growing conditions for plants and animals

Question 15

state the 5 layers of stratified vegetation

Answer 15

Emergent layer, canopy layer, young tree layer, shrub layer, undergrowth ground layer.

Question 16

How has stratified vegetation provide a high biodiversity?

Answer 16

Stratified vegetation creates diverse habitats that attract various species/