Tropical Rainforests - Paper 1 Flashcards
Why do tropical rainforest lie along the equator?
The sun’s rays are most concentrated at this latitude , heating moist air which rises and leads to heavy rainfall.
Where are the three main areas of tropical rainforest?
-The Amazon Basin
-Central Africa
-South East Asia.
What are the two main characteristics that distinguish tropical rainforests from other biomes?
-Climate
-Vegetation.
Describe the climate of tropical rainforests:
Warm and wet.
What do annual temperatures average around?
26°C.
What does annual rainfall usually exceed?
2,500 mm.
What is the typical height of trees in rainforests?
30 - 45 metres.
What are soils like in rainforests?
Mainly thin and poor.
How is there such luxuriant vegetation in rainforests if the soil quality is so poor?
Because of the nutrient cycle.
Which biome has the highest level of biodiversity?
Rainforests.
What fraction of the world’s plant species are found in rainforests?
2/3.
What fraction of the world’s known animal species are in rainforests?
Around 1/2.
What percentage of earth’s surface is covered by rainforests?
About 2%.
