Tropical Rainforests and Ecosystems

Biotic means….

living organisms

Abiotic means…

non-living environmental factors e.g soil, climate and light

Producers

organisms producing food from photosynthesis

Consumers

Organisms getting energy from eating producers

Decomposers

Breaks down dead plant and animal materials. They add nutrients to the soil

Fresh pond producer examples

Cattails

Seagrass

Algae

Fresh pond consumer examples:

Crayfish

Tadpoles

Minnows

Fresh pond decomposers examples

Snails

Maggots

Fungi

The tropical rainforest covers what percent of land

6%

What tropics do tropical rainforests lie between?

Cancer and Capricorn

True or False:

Tropical Rainforests have high temperatures and low rainfall

False:

Tropical rainforests have high temperatures and high rainfalls

Are there distinct seasons in tropical rainforests?

No there aren't

True or false:

Latosols (soils) are infertile and iron-rich due to rapid nutrient recycling.

True

Leaching is where

minerals are lost to solution.

Shrub and ground layer and its 3 characteristics:

Limited to ferns, woody plants and younger trees.

Bacteria and fungi rapidly rot fallen leaves and dead organic matter

Thick buttress roots supporting tall trees

Lower tree canopy (10-20m) and its 2 characteristics

Shaded and less substantial trees take advantage of any light available.

Interlocking branches and lianas create corridors for light weight animals

Middle Canopy (20-35) and its 3 characteristics

Drip-tips to efficiently shed water water to prevent water breaking the leaves

Enormous mushroom-shaped crown

Most productive layer with big photosynthetic surface

Top Canopy (35-50m) and its 2 characteristics:

Straight branchless tree trunks

Hardy exposed emergent trees that receive the most light