The biome of: Tropical rAINFOREST
"The tropical rainforest biome is an ecosystem that covers about 7% of the Earth’s surface."1 You may think that's not a lot, but the tropical rainforests are one of the most important biomes, due to the fact that the water they produce is evaporated and then used as rain in other areas.
abiotic components (climate and physical landscape):
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- Tropical rainforest are found all over the world but the majority of the tropical rainforest lies in South America in Brazil. The weather in the tropical rainforest is rainy, day or night.
- Rain forests are part of the wet climate group. "The temperature in a rain forest rarely gets higher than34 °C or below 20 °C; average humidity is between 77 and 88%; rainfall is often more than 100 inches a year."2 There is usually a brief season of less rain.
- Even though rainforests are a very small percentage of the earth's biome, Scientists estimate that more that half of all the world's plants and animals live in tropical rainforests. "It also estimated that rainforests produce 40% of Earth's oxygen."3
- This climate is found near the equator. That means that there is more direct sunlight hitting the land and sea there than anywhere else. The sun warms the land and sea and the water evaporates into the air. The warm air can hold a lot of water vapour.
Biotic components (animal/plant life)
- The plants that make up the rainforest have adapted to the small amount of sunlight that they receive. Plants like ferns and mosses can be found growing on branches of tall trees where they can get sunlight. Plants have also adapted to the heavy amounts of precipitation they receive everyday 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."4
- There are many different plant species found in the rain forest. But in the tropical rainforest, plants grow so fast that they consume the nutrients from the decomposed leaves. "As a result, most of the nutrients are contained in the trees and other plants rather than in the soil."5
- Over 2,500 species of vines grow in the rainforest along with many other species that live only in the rainforest. But the soil in the rainforest doesn't have many nutrients so there is very little vegetation that is able to survive at ground level.
- Tropical rainforests have a greater number and variety of animals than any other biome. The main reason for this great variety of animals is the constant warmth.
- Because there are so many animals competing for food, many animals have adapted by learning to eat a particular food that no other animal can eat. Tropical rainforests also provide a constant supply of water.
- "Insects make up the largest single group of animals that live in tropical forests. They include brightly coloured butterflies, mosquitoes, camouflaged stick insects, and huge colonies of ants."5 Small animals, including monkeys, birds, snakes, rodents, frogs, and lizards are common in the tropical rainforest. "Many of these animals and a multitude of insects never set foot on the ground."6
human component
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- The main reason why the majority of the rainforests on Earth have disappeared and lost forever is due to the insatiable human demand for wood an arable land. The worst part is, that if deforestation continues at this same rate, the percentage of rainforests could go down to only 6%. "The reasons for plundering rain forests are mainly economic. Wealthy nations drive demand for tropical timber, and cash-strapped governments often grant logging concessions at a fraction of the land’s true value."7
- The biggest rainforest in the entire globe, The Amazon Rainforest, is slowly disappearing too, as a result of way too much human interaction. The Amazon Rainforest gives us approximately 20% of the oxygen we breathe and around 60% of the fresh water we use. If the Amazon were to disappear completely, let's just say that our entire existence would be hanging from a thread. It is also estimated that if we don't take action right now, 40% of the Amazon Rainforest will be gone by 2050
Scientists at the Brazilian National Institute of Amazonian Research argue in the article that if a drought were to happen, coupled with the effects of deforestation on regional climate, are pushing the Rainforest towards a "tipping point" where it would irreversibly start to die.
According to the National Geographic website, these are some of the political, social and economic causes for deforestation in the rainforest:
- Logging interests cut down rain forest trees for timber used in flooring, furniture, and other items.
- Power plants and other industries cut and burn trees to generate electricity.
- The paper industry turns huge tracts of rain forest trees into pulp.
- The cattle industry uses slash-and-burn techniques to clear ranch land.
- Agricultural interests, particularly the soy industry, clear forests for cropland.
- Subsistence farmers slash-and-burn rain forest for firewood and to make room for crops and grazing lands.
- Mining operations clear forest to build roads and dig mines.
- Governments and industry clear-cut forests to make way for service and transit roads.
- Hydroelectric projects flood acres of rain forest.
Sources:
1 "Tropical Rainforest Biome Facts." Tropical Rainforest Biome Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
2,3 "Rainforest Climate." Rainforest Climate. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.
5 "Earth Floor: Biomes." Earth Floor: Biomes. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2015.
6 "Rainforest Biomes." Rainforest Biomes. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
7 "Rain Forest Threats, Rain Forest Species - National Geographic." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2015.
"Save the Amazon Rainforest." Save the Amazon Rainforest. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
1 "Tropical Rainforest Biome Facts." Tropical Rainforest Biome Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
2,3 "Rainforest Climate." Rainforest Climate. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.
5 "Earth Floor: Biomes." Earth Floor: Biomes. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2015.
6 "Rainforest Biomes." Rainforest Biomes. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
7 "Rain Forest Threats, Rain Forest Species - National Geographic." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2015.
"Save the Amazon Rainforest." Save the Amazon Rainforest. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.