tropical rainforests Flashcards
(12 cards)
what is the nutrient cyle
- rainfall adds nutrients
2.leaves fall onto the ground
3.leaves rapidly decompose
4.nutrients is added to the soil (some is washed away and some is also added back by weathered rocks)
5.nutrients taken up by plants
6.most nutrients are stored in biomass
7.leaves fall onto the ground
8.rainfall washes some nutrients away
what is the climate in a TRF and what is the average temp
hot all year round with rainfall high but very high for 6months- 27
How do rainforests make their own climate
heavy rainfall is rapidly returned to the atmosphere through evaporation and transportation which then condenses into clouds leading to more rainfall
what does the hot and wet climate do
provides a perfect place for animals and plants to thrive
what does biodiversity mean
high levels of different animals and plants
what are some examples of animal adaptations in trf
leaf tailed gecko - camouflage
spider monkeys - long limbs and prehensile tails to help them move through the trees
what are some examples of plant adaptations in trf
lianas - vines that reach towards the light by wrapping around trees
some plants have waxy drip leaves - rainwater can run off easily
what is the top layer of trees of the rainforest structure called
emergents which are trees that break though the top
what is the middle layer of trees of the rainforest called
canopy which is a continuous layer of trees which block the light
what is the bottom layer of trees of the rainforest called
under canopy which are younger trees filling in the gaps in the canopy
what is the 1st layer of the RF called
forest floor which is a thick layer of dead leaves, branches and roots
what is the 2nd layer of the RF called
shrub layer which only has a few shrubs due to the little light
