Weather, climate and natural vegetation revision Flashcards
Plant adaptations of rainforest
*Lianas - these are woody vines that have roots in the ground but climb up the trees to reach the sunlight. Their leaves and flowers grow in the canopy.
*Tree trunks - these are tall and thin to allow trees to reach the sunlight. The bark on these trees is smooth to allow water to flow down to the roots easily.
*Drip tips - plants have leaves with pointy tips. This allows water to run off the leaves quickly without damaging or breaking them.
*Buttress roots - large roots have ridges which create a large surface area that help to support large trees.
*Epiphytes - these are plants which live on the branches of trees high up in the canopy. They get their nutrients from the air and water, not from the soil.
Animal adaptations of rainforest
The sloth uses camouflage and moves very slowly to make it difficult for predators to spot.
The spider monkey has long, strong limbs to help it to climb through the rainforest trees.
The flying frog has fully webbed hands and feet, and a flap of loose skin that stretches between its limbs, which allows it to glide from plant to plant.
The toucan has a long, large bill to allow it to reach and cut fruit from branches that are too weak to support its weight.
Effects of deforestation/ resource extraction in the tropical rainforest:
In the Oriente region of the Amazon in Ecuador Oil has discharged 4.3 million barrels of toxic waste into the environment each day.
Toxic contaminants in drinking water have reached 1,000 times the safe standard Increases in gastrointestinal problems, skin rashes, birth defects and cancers (stomach cancer 5x more in areas with oil extraction).
Miscarriage is high amongst indigenous
people such as Huaorani.
It has been
estimated that 137 plant, animal and insect species are being lost each day, 50, 000 species each year. Currently, over 120 prescription drugs sold worldwide come from plant sources. Plants such as periwinkle (used to cure childhood leukaemia) are now endangered.
The oil has only benefitted a few- many have become poorer- social inequalities. Only 20 years of oil left in the Amazon.
The Amazon stores around 100 billion tonnes of carbon.
Deforestation is responsible for at least 15% of global CO2 emissions each year – more than all the world’s transport emissions combined.
The climate of the tropical rainforest Amazon rainforest (e.g. Ecuador)
The Equatorial Climate is characterised by hot average temperature all year round and high monthly precipitation, typically no less than 60 mm a month with annual precipitation tending to be over 2000mm.
The Hadley cell means that at the equator, air is heated by the sun and forced to rise causing low
pressure.
As the heated air rises, it cools, condenses and forms huge storm clouds and rains causing rainforests.
High levels of soil moisture and interception of rainfall from the dense vegetation leads to transpiration (evaporation of water held in the leaves of plants).
This leads to a repetitive climate pattern of hot humid air, dry but misty mornings and late afternoon downpours and conventional storms.
Sonoran desert
Located in the southwest of the United States and the north-west of Mexico. It is mostly in the state of Arizona, however, it also stretches into southern California.
* The Sonoran Desert has a subtropical climate and receives 75 to 380 mm of rain per
year.
* Most of it falls during the monsoon season (July–September), when strong, brief thunderstorms bring heavy rain.
* Lighter winter rainfall occurs in December and January.
* Frosts are rare.
* The hottest and driest part of the desert is near the lower Colorado River, where summer temperatures can reach up to 50°C and rainfall is less than 80mm.
Plant adaptations in the Sonoran Desert:
Saguaro Cactus:
* The Saguaro does not need a lot of water to survive.
* When it rains the Saguaro, soaks up water and holds it in its ribs. Since it does not rain a lot in the desert, the cactus uses the water that it stores when it doesn’t rain. The Saguaro Cactus can absorb a lot of water because the ribs on the plant can expand.
* Saguaro has one taproot that is about 3 feet long to reach water underground and it also has a network of radial routes to soak up water.
* Cacti, like the Saguaro are succulents; they store water in their tissues (roots, stems, leaves or fruit).
* Spikes instead of leaves for a small surface area to minimize transpiration (water loss through
evaporation).
* Cacti’s spikes deter consumer species. Downward pointing spines make it easier to direct rainwater into the depressions of the cactus. The spines help to cool the outer skin. The spines also help redirect the wind and insulate the plant.
* Desert cacti bloom suddenly after rainfall to complete their life cycle quickly.
Prickly Pear:
* They have reduced their leaves to spines to reduce water loss and to protect the cactus.
* The roots of the prickly pear are also made for a very dry environment to help adapt to the desert’s hot weather.
* The pads of the cactus store water so that they can survive without water for longer.
Palo Verde * The bark has chlorophyll so that photosynthesis can carry on when the tree has shed its leaves during dry, hot periods
* The tree has a very deep root system to access any underground water supply
* It is drought deciduous and drops its leaves during dry hot periods so that water loss is prevented.
Animal adaptations in the Sonoran desert
Gila woodpecker:
* Gila woodpeckers have strong beaks so that they can hollow out a hole in the Saguaro Cactus.
* They build their nests inside the hollow as it provides a safe, cool place for the woodpeckers to raise their young. The spines of the cactus also provide protection from predators.
Kangaroo rat:
* Kangaroo rats are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. This is to avoid the hot desert heat during the day.
* Some desert animals are able to get all the water they need from the food they eat. Kangaroo rats are the kings of water conservation! They don’t have to drink water or eat juicy plants. Instead, the kangaroo rat’s special digestive system is able to get enough water from the seeds they eat for them
to survive.
