Year 8 Term 2 - Tropical Rainforests Flashcards
Four layers of rainforest in order
Forest floor, under-canopy, canopy, emergent
Describe the emergent layer
Small number of very tall trees - 60m ish tall
Describe the canopy layer
Most animals & trees, thickest layer
Describe under-canopy
Small, young trees - very little sunlight here
Describe forest floor
Lots of rotting plants and animal corpses found here
Describe the climate in the Amazon (include numbers)
Little temp fluctuation, 24-29’c
Rainfall big range - 230-150mm
Humid, hot, etcetc
How do buttress roots help trees
Big roots Keeps them stable, stop the, falling over, Able to grow traller
How is a fan palm adapted
Leaves are fanned so they all get enough sun
How are lianas adapted
They loop around branches so that it’s easier to reach sunlight and to get more water
How is a strangler fig adapted
Don’t have to hold its own weight, already high up and gets more sunlight, suffocate trees and steal nutrients
How do roots grow in rainforests
Stretch out near surface to quickly get nutrients
What are the seven main adaptations for animals in rainforests
Camouflage, mimicry, ability to change habitats, limited diet, nocturnality, reduction in size & stature, poison
Explain why camouflage is effective
Protects animal from predators without moving as much. Blend them in. Better help animal bc they don’t have to get close to defend themselves.
Name 6 main causes of deforestation
Farming, road construction, settlement growth, hydro-electric power, mining, logging
Why is farming a cause of deforestation & example
Land is cleared for cattle & cash crops, soya grown to feed chickens
