RAINFORESTS - PAPER 1 Flashcards
Where are rainforests located?
They only form around the equator, because of the large amounts of rainfall occuring there
What is the climate in a rainforest?
The climate’s typically warm and wet
There are no seasons, and temperatures are from 25-30 degrees
In a year, there is over 2500 mm of rainfall
What is the nutrient cycle?
Although the soils in rainforests are very poor quality, the nutrient cycle is what allows many plants to grow and flouris
Biomass - living things in the ecosystem
When these organisms die, their nutrients fall to the ground, becoming litter
Litter - dead organic matter
As this litter decomposes, the nutrients become part of the soil
Soil - a mixture of dead organic matter and weathered bedrock
Plants take up the nutrients, dissolved in the soil
What are the conditions for vegetation in the rainforest?
High temperatures - plants grow all year
High rainfall + humidity - rapid growth of trees, fast nutrient cycling rate
50-60% of plants are indigenous to the rainforest
There is major competition for sunlight in the rainforest
How do plants adapt to the climate in rainforests?
Leaves have drip tips - because of the high rainfall, water is channelled to the end, falling off the leaf so it doesn’t break
Flexible stems - leaves can move with the sun
Waxy upper surface on leaves - protecting against heat
Thin, smooth bark on trees - water flows freely; no need for cold protection
Wide leaves (forest floor) - recieving as much sunlight as possible
Buttress roots - anchoring trees that can grow over 50m tall; so they can compete well for sunlight
What are some type of plants in rainforests?
Lianas - these plants climb up trees, so they can get sunlight for photosynthesis
Epiphytes - living on branches in the canopy for sunlight and photosynthesis
Aerial plants - can grow without soil because of the high humidity and rain; get their nutients from plant debris that land on their roots
What are the 4 types of plants?
Forest floor - only recieves 2% of sunlight
Understory - recieves about 5% of sunlight, and plants grow up to 3m
Canopy - plants grow up to 40m
Emergent - tallest trees, recieve the most sunlight, but face strong winds, low humidity and high temperatures
What is ecotourism?
The use of tourism through the natural environment
It provides money for the local area without damaging the environment, and profits stay in the local community
How do animals adapt to the rainforest?
Most animals live off specific plants/animals, and adapt to eat those
Parrots/toucans have strong beaks to crack nuts
Some plants/animals have relationships - bats eat fruit and travel far away, dropping seeds out of their digestive systems somewhere else
Camouflage is used to hide from prey and predators
Bright coloured animals are typically poisonous, and the color wards off predators - poisonous arrow frogs
What is an example of a tropical rainforest?
The Amazon Rainforest, largest in the world, located in Brazil
