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Tropical Rainforests questions well answered to pass
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Tropical Rainforests questions well answered to pass
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Tropical Rainforests questions wellanswered to pass
Outline the physical characteristics of the tropical rainforest biome. - correct answer ✔✔Tropical
rainforests are characterized by high rainfall (over 2000mm per year) and high temperatures (averaging
around 27 degrees Celsius). There is little variation in the hours of daylight throughout the year and no
significant seasonal differences. The hot, wet conditions create ideal conditions for plant growth.
Name the layers of the rainforest. - correct answer ✔✔Ground layer / shrub layer, under canopy, canopy,
emergent layer.
Outline the features of the ground layer / shrub layer. - correct answer ✔✔The ground layer receives
very little light. Hot, wet conditions drive rapid decomposition of fallen leaves. Saprophytes (plants, fungi
or micro-organisms that tolerate low light levels and get nutrients from breaking down dead matter) are
found in this layer. The shrub layer consists of tree saplings and shade-tolerant ferns.
Outline the features of the undercanopy. - correct answer ✔✔The undercanopy receives about 5% of
the sunlight falling on to the forest. It is hot, damp and shaded from the wind. Lianas (vines) climb
through the trees here to reach the sunlight.
Outline the features of the canopy. - correct answer ✔✔The canopy trees grow to around 20-40m in
height. They compete for the sunlight overhead. Strong light levels means that there is an abundance of
life here e.g. monkeys, sloths, pythons.
Outline the features of the emergent layer. - correct answer ✔✔Emergent trees can grow to more than
50m in height as they seek to outcompete surrounding trees and reach the sunlight.
What are the soils like in the tropical rainforest? - correct answer ✔✔The TRF generally has thin, poor
and infertile soils. There is lots of leaf litter on the ground. The humid conditions allow for rapid
decomposition. Some rain reaches the forest floor and washes away (leaches) the nutrients before they
become part of the soil. However, the vegetation has enough nutrients to survive because of the rapid
nutrient cycling.
, What is meant by interdependence? - correct answer ✔✔Interdependence refers to the idea that the
different features of an ecosystem depend on one another.
When we talk of interdependence in the tropical rainforest, which features are we interested in? -
correct answer ✔✔Climate, water, soils (abiotic) and plants, animals, people (biotic).
Provide an example of interdependence in the tropical rainforest. - correct answer ✔✔Tropical
rainforests receive a large amount of rainfall and this provides water for root uptake by the large volume
of trees. Fruits grow on the trees and these can be harvested by indigenous people (e.g. the Kayapo in
the Amazon rainforest). This shows interdependence because trees and people are reliant on the rainfall
for their survival.
What do we mean by adaptation? - correct answer ✔✔The process of change through which an animal
or plant becomes more suited to its environment.
Provide some examples of how plants have adapted to life in the tropical rainforest. - correct answer
✔✔Plants grow thick leaves with drip tips (leaves with pointy tips) and waxy surfaces to allow water to
drain quickly (run off of them), preventing rotting. This is important because there is a high amount of
rainfall (over 2000mm per year) in the tropical rainforest. Trees growing up to the emergent layer tend to
have buttress roots to increase their stability. They need to grow to this height to reach the sunlight, as
most of it is blocked out by the canopy layer. Epiphytes (e.g. orchids) are flowering plants which live on
the branches of trees high up in the canopy so they can access sunlight. They get their nutrients from the
air and water, not from the soil. This is important as the soil in tropical rainforests is often of a poor
quality due to the leaching of nutrients caused by heavy rainfall (over 2000mm per year).
Provide some examples of how animals have adapted to life in the tropical rainforest. - correct answer
✔✔Anteaters have a good sense of smell to locate their food on the dark forest floor. The toucan has a
long, large bill to allow it to reach and cut fruit from branches that are too weak to support its weight.
The spider monkey has long, strong limbs to help it to climb through the rainforest trees.
Name a major threat to biodiversity of tropical rainforests. - correct answer ✔✔Deforestation.
Outline how global rates of deforestation have changed. - correct answer ✔✔The rates of deforestation
in Brazil have varied a lot over the past 40 years. From 2004 the rates of deforestation fell by nearly 80%
to the lowest levels of record. However, deforestation of the Amazon has increased under President Jair
Bolsonaro who has encouraged agriculture and mining activities in the rainforest. According to the latest
data, some 13,235 square km (5110 square miles) was lost during the 2020-21 period, the highest
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