chapter 5= spatial distribution of tropical rainforest and mangroves

Question 1

what is natural vegetation

Answer 1

it is plant life that covers a particular part of the world without human interference

Question 2

what is tropical climate

Answer 2

high annual rainfall and sun

Question 3

where is the tropics found

Answer 3

between the tropic of cancer [23,5N] AND the tropic of Capricorn [23.5S]

Question 4

where are rainforests found

Answer 4

found in parts of the world that experience tropical climate, near the equator

Question 5

name the tropical rainforests

Answer 5

borneo rainforest found in southeast asia, also known as the Kalimantan forest. the amazon rainforest is found in brazil. the congo basin is found in the republic of congo.

Question 6

what r some characteristics of tropical rainforests

Answer 6

they r evergreen and have abundant sunlight and a high annual rainfall

Question 7

what is the forest structure

Answer 7

the emergent layer [50m to 30m] the canopy layer [20m to 10m] the undergrowth layer [10m-0m]

Question 8

how have tropical rainforests adapted to their environment

Answer 8

they have broad leaves, waxy leaves, drip tips, buttress roots

Question 9

what do broad leaves do

Answer 9

the allow the leaves to trap more sunlight to produce more food for the plant

Question 10

what do waxy leaves do

Answer 10

waxy leaves allow droplets of water to slide of more easily and they help to lessen the amount of water lost during transpiration

Question 11

what do drip tips do

Answer 11

drip tips allow water to roll of them easier

Question 12

what do buttress roots do

Answer 12

buttress roots grow up to 5m tall, they allow the tree to grow taller, to reach the sun better, thus absorbing more light , they also help to keep the plant upright as the roots of the plant don’t do deep

Question 13

where r mangroves found

Answer 13

they r found along or near the coast, where there is high tide. mangroves can grow in places with higher salinity, they grow better there due to the lack of competition as not many plants are able to grow in places with high salinity.`

Question 14

what kinds of water conditions are mangroves found in

Answer 14

they are found in calm water conditions, so that their seedlings are not washed away before being able to take root. calm water conditions also encourage accumulations of fine sediments containing nutrients, that is why mangroves are usually found in sheltered environments

Question 15

what r some types of mangroves and where are they found

Answer 15

1, Bruguiera. it is found in the interior mangroves, as it is not as tolerant to high salinity as some other mangroves.

2. Rhizophora. it is also found in the interior mangroves
3. Avicennia. it is found in the fringe mangroves
4. sonneratia. it is found in the mudflats, where there is a higher tide, this plant is able to withstand high salinity water.

Question 16

how have mangroves adapted to their environment

Answer 16

salt excreting leaves, salt excluding roote, ariel roots

Question 17

elaborate on salt excreting leaves

Answer 17

the plant will leave the concentrated salt solution on its leaves, allowing it to be washed away by rain. the mangrove will also store its excess salt in its old leaves, so the old leaves will eventually drop and the salt in it will be gone

Question 18

elaborate on salt excluding roots

Answer 18

the roots will deny intake of salt

Question 19

elaborate on ariel roots

Answer 19

the roots of the plant will stick out of the water surface, allowing the roots to absorb oxygen straight from the air itself, allowing it to survive better in low oxygen soil. the roots of the plant will anchor themselves into the ground, preventing them from being washed away by strong waves.