AQA GCSE Geography: Tropical Rainforests

Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn

Imaginary lines either side of the equator bordering the area where the sun strikes directly, the area that receives the most heat.

Equatorial climate

The constantly hot and wet climate of regions near the Equator.

Hadley Cell

A large-scale atmospheric convection cell in which air rises at the equator and sinks at medium latitudes, typically about 30° north or south.

Low air pressure conditions

A mass of rising warm air that usually bring wet, stormy weather.

Leaching

Removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards.

Latosol

An iron-rich, infertile soil found in tropical rainforests

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem. Tropical forests are biodiversity 'hotspots'.

Adaptation

A characteristic that improves an individual's ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment.

buttress roots

large, above ground roots that provide stability in tropical trees and access to fertility in leaf litter.

Lianas

Climbing woody vines that drape rainforest trees.

Epiphytes

Plants that grow on other plants

Drip tip leaves

Leaves that allow water to drip down onto the ground to avoid it being damaged by high amounts of rainfall.

Emergent trees

Tallest trees that grow higher than the rainforest canopy

Rainforest canopy

uppermost layer of forest where the branches meet

(because the light is blocked, only small plants can grow on the floor)

understory layer

Located under the canopy layer and consists of leafy plants with large leaves to gather sunlight.

Forest floor

the bottom layer, or ground, of a forest, very dark in tropical rainforests.

Deforestation

The removal of trees faster than forests can replace themselves.

Cattle ranching

Raising herds of cattle on an extensive farm, often on deforested land.

Slash and burn farming

A sustainable type of agriculture in which forests are cut and burned to clear land for planting.

Clear felling

Absolute clearance of all trees from an area

Carbon sink

A forest, ocean, or other natural environment viewed in terms of its ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Soil erosion

Wearing away of surface soil by water and wind, more common when there are fewer trees to bind the soil with their roots and intercept the rain.

Conservation/preservation

Allows the use of resources in a responsible manner by setting aside areas and protecting them legally from human activities.

Ecotourism

A form of tourism, based on the enjoyment of scenic areas or natural wonders, that aims to provide an experience of nature or culture in an environmentally sustainable way.

Selective logging

The cutting out of trees which are mature, desirable or inferior, to avoid damage to the whole forest. Can be done by helicopter.

Afforestation/replanting

Planting trees to restore damaged forest areas.

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)

An independent, non-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests. It labels products that come from responsibly managed forest and from verified recycled sources.

sloth adaptations

Found in the trees. Nocturnal, it is cooler so they save energy

Slow metabolism, they don't have to eat as much

Hooked claws and long arms, helps them grip trees

Move very slowly, algae grows on them which camouflages them from predators.

Parrot adaptations

Large beak for breaking apart seeds, able to fly to reach food in the canopy.