Case Study 2 Case Study 2 Tropical RainforestTropical Rainforest

Learning Objective. To know and Learning Objective. To know and understand how the rainforest understand how the rainforest

ecosystem operates.ecosystem operates.

LocationLocation

Cross Section of forestCross Section of forest

Survival of the fittest…Survival of the fittest…

Characteristics of the Tropical RainforestsCharacteristics of the Tropical Rainforests• Constant high temperatures – average Constant high temperatures – average

2727˚̊cc• High solar light intensityHigh solar light intensity• Regular and high rainfall – 2000 mm per Regular and high rainfall – 2000 mm per

year (2 metres of rain)year (2 metres of rain)

Adaptation to climateAdaptation to climate•Trees grow upwards in competition with Trees grow upwards in competition with one another for the sunlightone another for the sunlight•Leaf growth is only concentrated in the Leaf growth is only concentrated in the canopycanopy•Leaves are thick and hard-wearing to Leaves are thick and hard-wearing to withstand heat of the sun and drip tips to withstand heat of the sun and drip tips to shed heavy rain.shed heavy rain.•No branches lower down on the major No branches lower down on the major trees (see fig 1). This saves energy. trees (see fig 1). This saves energy.

Rainforest Floor

Dark Forest FloorDark Forest Floor

Ferns are the main Ferns are the main vegetation type as their vegetation type as their leaves are able to intercept leaves are able to intercept a high proportion of light a high proportion of light that reaches them.that reaches them.

FACTSFACTS•The Amazon Rainforest has been described as The Amazon Rainforest has been described as the "Lungs of our Planet" because it provides the the "Lungs of our Planet" because it provides the essential environmental world service of essential environmental world service of continuously recycling carbon dioxide into continuously recycling carbon dioxide into oxygen. More than 20 percent of the world oxygen oxygen. More than 20 percent of the world oxygen is produced in the Amazon Rainforest. is produced in the Amazon Rainforest.

•One and one-half acres of rainforest One and one-half acres of rainforest are lost every second with tragic are lost every second with tragic consequences for both developing and consequences for both developing and industrial countries. industrial countries.

Latosol ProfileLatosol ProfileCharacteristicsCharacteristics

•Red/brown in colour Red/brown in colour showing iron and oxides showing iron and oxides in therein there•They are 20-30 METRES They are 20-30 METRES deepdeep•Leaching is a big Leaching is a big problem. Leaching problem. Leaching washes all the organic washes all the organic material downwards material downwards then out of the soil. then out of the soil. •Top layer is the most Top layer is the most important. All the fallen important. All the fallen leaves decay quickly leaves decay quickly with the high with the high temperatures and temperatures and humidity. humidity.

Building your case studyBuilding your case studyRead over the information on page 94 and 95

in Understanding Geography.• Fill out the summary sheet.• Explain how the rainforest vegetation is

adapted to the climatic conditions. Use pages 182, 186 and 187 in Foundation

Wider World.• Fill in sheet Impact of Deforestation.• Produce your own diagram to show effects

of deforestation in Brazil.