Location and Climate of the Tropical Rainforest biomes..
Tropical rainforests are located in a band 4800km wide around the equator, mostly 23.5 deg. north latitude and 23.5 deg. south latitude. These forests cover much of northern South America, Central America, Central Africa and southeast Asia. The climate is fairly hot, with an average temperature of 25C, and average precipitation of about 250cm per year.
Tropical rainforests are located in a band 4800km wide around the equator, mostly 23.5 deg. north latitude and 23.5 deg. south latitude. These forests cover much of northern South America, Central America, Central Africa and southeast Asia. The climate is fairly hot, with an average temperature of 25C, and average precipitation of about 250cm per year.
Physical features..
The soil is poor as nutrients are quickly recycled and not retained. The soil is also poor because the heavy rain washes minerals away. The forest floor is dark because the tall trees form a heavy canopy above, which limits plant growth.
The soil is poor as nutrients are quickly recycled and not retained. The soil is also poor because the heavy rain washes minerals away. The forest floor is dark because the tall trees form a heavy canopy above, which limits plant growth.
Plant adaptations..
Rainforest plants adapt to their environment in many ways. Plants have made adaptations that helps them shed water off their leaves quickly so the branches don't get weighed down and break. Many plants have drip tips and grooved leaves, and some leaves have oily coatings to shed water. Leaves are very large to absorb as much sunlight as possible on the dark understory.
Rainforest plants adapt to their environment in many ways. Plants have made adaptations that helps them shed water off their leaves quickly so the branches don't get weighed down and break. Many plants have drip tips and grooved leaves, and some leaves have oily coatings to shed water. Leaves are very large to absorb as much sunlight as possible on the dark understory.
Animal adaptations..
The rainforest biome has the greatest diversity of animals on Earth, but has few large mammals. Most of the animals are adapted to live in trees because of the low vegetation on the forest floor. Many are adapted to eat a particular food or live in a particular habitat. Nut eaters such as parrots and toucans have big and strong beaks that cut nuts from trees and crack open the hard shells. Some smaller rainforest animals such as frogs have poisons that protect them from predators. The South American three-toed sloth has a slow movement adaption because of its low calorie diet of leaves. It also makes it less noticeable to predators such as jaguars.
Sources used..
BC Science 10
Tropical Rainforest Biomes (couldn't copy link)
The rainforest biome has the greatest diversity of animals on Earth, but has few large mammals. Most of the animals are adapted to live in trees because of the low vegetation on the forest floor. Many are adapted to eat a particular food or live in a particular habitat. Nut eaters such as parrots and toucans have big and strong beaks that cut nuts from trees and crack open the hard shells. Some smaller rainforest animals such as frogs have poisons that protect them from predators. The South American three-toed sloth has a slow movement adaption because of its low calorie diet of leaves. It also makes it less noticeable to predators such as jaguars.
Sources used..
BC Science 10
Tropical Rainforest Biomes (couldn't copy link)
