8203152
Description
Flashcards by Steven Morgan, updated more than 1 year ago
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Created by Steven Morgan
over 7 years ago
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| Question | Answer |
| Biome | A unique region of the world defined by its climate |
| Characteristics of a biome | Soils Climate Flora Fauna |
| Distribution/Location | 23.5 degree N/S of Equator In the Tropics Low latitude S. America, Africa & SE Asia Formerly 14% of earth covered Now 6% of earth is covered Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru |
| Biodiversity | Large collection of flora & fauna 1 hectare = 42,000 species Bananas, peppers, coffee, palm oil, cocoa |
| Layers/Parts | Forest floor Understorey Canopy Emergent |
| Emergent layer | Tallest Trees = 40m to 80m Birds like the scarlet macaw & insects Trees are spaced far apart Small & pointed leaves Straight, smooth trunks with few branches Root system is very shallow |
| Canopy layer | 20 – 40 m above the ground Insects, spiders, birds (Toucan & Hornbill) Orangutan, Howler & Spider monkey Snakes, lizards & frogs Epiphytes (Vines), mosses, Lichens Flowers like orchids Fruits of trees |
| Understorey | Very little light = plant life is limited. Short, leafy mostly non-flowering plants. Shurbs, small trees, ferns + vines. Insects ( beetles & bees) spiders, snakes, lizards. Some birds live + nest here Larger animals = Jaguars |
| Forest floor | Lots of animal life Insects + Spiders eg tarantulas. Anteaters, Wild Boar, Tapirs, Jaguars. Amerindians. 1-3% of light get to floor Fungi/bacteria make plant litter Green, leafy shrubs |
| Climate | Hot, wet & humid (77%-88% humidity) No real seasons The sun is directly overhead 12 hrs. of sunlight daily Average Temp=27 degrees small temp range 2000mm avg rainfall Convectional rain |
| Soils | Latosols Red = Alumina & iron oxide Laterisation Finely balanced No clear profile Leaching Laterite Short Nutrient cycle |
| Vegetation | Small or big leaves Buttress & Stilt roots Shallow roots Drip tips 40% of Earth's air 1/4 of all medicines Fruits & flowers spread seeds Thin, straight tree trunks |
| Giant Anteater | Ants & termites Large sharp claws Long narrow snout Stick long tongue Keen sense of smell |
| Jaguar | Camouflage Long tail for balance Ambush predator Long retractable claws Can climb/Run up trees Only in S. American rain forest |
| Spider monkey | Strong limbs for climbing Tail for balance & 5th limb Nimble & quick Rarely on the ground Live in troops for safety Loud noise to communicate/warn |
| Tapir | Mammal Water & land Can swim & dive Used to eat meat now eats plants Small trunk like nose Color to avoid detection |
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