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Tropical Rainforest PERIOD 5

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M
Michael McGraw

This document summarizes key aspects of tropical rainforests including their location in regions within 23.5 degrees north and south of the equator, poor nutrient-rich soil, constant high rainfall, and warm climate. It describes the nutrient and energy flows within tropical rainforests and lists some common plant and animal species. The document also discusses productivity, succession, and compares the human impacts on tropical rainforests in more developed countries versus less developed countries.

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Tropical Rainforest PERIOD 5
Two other names…. Coniferous Forest  Jungle
Biome Location/Climate  Majority of tropical rainforests are located between the Tropic of Cancer(23.5 N) and the Tropic of Capricorn(23.5 S).  Poor soil with trace amount of nutrients  Low sunlight at ground level  Constant rain (250 cm per year)  Intense Humidity  Warm year-round
Nutrient Flow  Most nutrients stored in living organisms - biomass (trees, foliage)  Very small storage of nutrients on forest floor  Biomass is decomposed rapidly  Small storage of nutrients in soil, poor soil
Characteristic Animal  Animals: 1. Toucan- colorful bird, eats fruit, massive bill. 2. Jaguar- a large, heavily built cat that has a yellowish-brown coat with black spots. 3. Piranha- mostly lives in packs, razor-sharp teeth, carnivorous fish, can grow up to 18 inches in length. 4. Anaconda- opportunistic feeder, land/water mobile reptile, can grow excess of 20 feet long. 5. Giant Centipede- venomous arthropod, one pair of legs per body segment, omnivore. 6. Gorilla- largest living primate, large head, short neck, can weigh up to 600 lbs.
Characteristic Plant  Plants: 1. Cacao tree- chocolate! Small evergreen tree that grows between 13-26 feet tall. 2. Orchid- 3-petaled flowers with the middle petal enlarged into a lip, differs in color and size. 3. Bromeliad- short stems with rosettes of stiff, usually spiny, leaves.
Energy Flow  Food chain: leaves  beetle  frog  anaconda
Energy Flow  Producers: Strangler fig, Coconut Trees, Banana Trees, Bamboo Trees  Primary Consumers: Macaws, Monkeys, Fruit Bats, Grasshoppers  Secondary Consumers: Vampire Bats, Iguanas, Frogs  Tertiary Consumers: Python, Jaguar
Energy Flow  Producers: 100%  Primary Consumers: 10%  Secondary Consumers: 1%  Tertiary Consumers: 0.1%
Productivity  Gross Primary Productivity: Most energy and matter within the forests are in the biomass. The canopy is the most abundant area of biomass. Hence, the most energy is created in the canopy via photosynthesis.  Limited productivity on forest floor, emergent layer, and understory.
Productivity  Net Primary Productivity: It is greater in forests containing many different plant species.  The Estimated Net Productivity of a Tropical Rainforest is 15,000 kilocalories/m^2/year.
Productivity  Photosynthesis: high level of photosynthesis in canopy level, lower levels do not receive as much sunlight, lower rate.  Emergent layer receives plenty of sunlight; however, the excessive height limits growth.  Understory and forest floor receive ample water and nutrients, but not much sunlight.  Reduced level of carbon dioxide in tropical rainforests.
Succession  Primary Succession begins with flooding happens from the excessive rain. Topsoil is stripped, so the environment must be provided with new/more nutrients.  Secondary Succession begins on land where agriculture and foliage have been removed(often slash and burn). Farmers cut down plants and trees to grow their crops and after a few years the soil becomes infertile. When the farmer moves on secondary succession kicks in. Natural processes take place, fertilizing the soil and small plants and trees grow again until the forest has grown back(takes hundreds of years).
Human Impact (MDC)  Massive amounts of carbon loss in atmosphere due to deforestation (40%).  Higher percentage of wildfires – more canopy exposure from cut down trees dries out the forest, leaving it more prone to wildfires.
Human Impact (LDC)  Less available crops – slash and burn is used ineffectively in LDC’s and induces poor soil with no crops.  Organism exploitation- people in LDC rainforests often hunt for food and fur within the confines of the forest, exploiting certain species.
Compare Difference  In an MDC Tropical Rainforest, society tends to take advantage of their resource to improve their already comfortable way of living, while in an LDC Tropical Rainforest resources are being run out due to the fact that the people have no other place to get them.

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Tropical Rainforest PERIOD 5

  • 3. Biome Location/Climate  Majority of tropical rainforests are located between the Tropic of Cancer(23.5 N) and the Tropic of Capricorn(23.5 S).  Poor soil with trace amount of nutrients  Low sunlight at ground level  Constant rain (250 cm per year)  Intense Humidity  Warm year-round
  • 4. Nutrient Flow  Most nutrients stored in living organisms - biomass (trees, foliage)  Very small storage of nutrients on forest floor  Biomass is decomposed rapidly  Small storage of nutrients in soil, poor soil
  • 5. Characteristic Animal  Animals: 1. Toucan- colorful bird, eats fruit, massive bill. 2. Jaguar- a large, heavily built cat that has a yellowish-brown coat with black spots. 3. Piranha- mostly lives in packs, razor-sharp teeth, carnivorous fish, can grow up to 18 inches in length. 4. Anaconda- opportunistic feeder, land/water mobile reptile, can grow excess of 20 feet long. 5. Giant Centipede- venomous arthropod, one pair of legs per body segment, omnivore. 6. Gorilla- largest living primate, large head, short neck, can weigh up to 600 lbs.
  • 6. Characteristic Plant  Plants: 1. Cacao tree- chocolate! Small evergreen tree that grows between 13-26 feet tall. 2. Orchid- 3-petaled flowers with the middle petal enlarged into a lip, differs in color and size. 3. Bromeliad- short stems with rosettes of stiff, usually spiny, leaves.
  • 7. Energy Flow  Food chain: leaves  beetle  frog  anaconda
  • 8. Energy Flow  Producers: Strangler fig, Coconut Trees, Banana Trees, Bamboo Trees  Primary Consumers: Macaws, Monkeys, Fruit Bats, Grasshoppers  Secondary Consumers: Vampire Bats, Iguanas, Frogs  Tertiary Consumers: Python, Jaguar
  • 9. Energy Flow  Producers: 100%  Primary Consumers: 10%  Secondary Consumers: 1%  Tertiary Consumers: 0.1%
  • 10. Productivity  Gross Primary Productivity: Most energy and matter within the forests are in the biomass. The canopy is the most abundant area of biomass. Hence, the most energy is created in the canopy via photosynthesis.  Limited productivity on forest floor, emergent layer, and understory.
  • 11. Productivity  Net Primary Productivity: It is greater in forests containing many different plant species.  The Estimated Net Productivity of a Tropical Rainforest is 15,000 kilocalories/m^2/year.
  • 12. Productivity  Photosynthesis: high level of photosynthesis in canopy level, lower levels do not receive as much sunlight, lower rate.  Emergent layer receives plenty of sunlight; however, the excessive height limits growth.  Understory and forest floor receive ample water and nutrients, but not much sunlight.  Reduced level of carbon dioxide in tropical rainforests.
  • 13. Succession  Primary Succession begins with flooding happens from the excessive rain. Topsoil is stripped, so the environment must be provided with new/more nutrients.  Secondary Succession begins on land where agriculture and foliage have been removed(often slash and burn). Farmers cut down plants and trees to grow their crops and after a few years the soil becomes infertile. When the farmer moves on secondary succession kicks in. Natural processes take place, fertilizing the soil and small plants and trees grow again until the forest has grown back(takes hundreds of years).
  • 14. Human Impact (MDC)  Massive amounts of carbon loss in atmosphere due to deforestation (40%).  Higher percentage of wildfires – more canopy exposure from cut down trees dries out the forest, leaving it more prone to wildfires.
  • 15. Human Impact (LDC)  Less available crops – slash and burn is used ineffectively in LDC’s and induces poor soil with no crops.  Organism exploitation- people in LDC rainforests often hunt for food and fur within the confines of the forest, exploiting certain species.
  • 16. Compare Difference  In an MDC Tropical Rainforest, society tends to take advantage of their resource to improve their already comfortable way of living, while in an LDC Tropical Rainforest resources are being run out due to the fact that the people have no other place to get them.