Tropical Rainforest
By: Justin Sanders
Rainforest in summer, fall, winter and spring
Temperature and precipitation in the rainforest
Tempature
Precipitation
Animals found in the tropical rainforest and thier adaptations
Parrots- strong beaks, to crack open nuts
The Boa Constrictor- Camouflage to suprise its prey
Plants found in the Tropical rainforest and their adaptatations
Mangroves- Wide spreading stilt roots that support the tree in the mud and trap nutritious organic matter.
Epiphytes- Grow on branches of trees to catch sunlight
Soil conditions in the Tropical Rainforest
Most tropical rainforest soils relatively poor in nutrients. Millions of years of weathering and torrential rains have washed most of the nutrients out of the soil. More recent volcanic soils, however, can be very fertile. Tropical rain forest soils contain less organic matter than temperate forests and most of the available nutrients are found in the living plant and animal material. Nutrients in the soil are often in forms that are not accessible by plants.
Constant warmth and moisture promote rapid decay of organic matter. When a tree dies in the rainforest, living organisms quickly absorb the nutrients before they have a chance to be washed away. When tropical forests are cut and burned, heavy rains can quickly wash the released nutrients away, leaving the soil even more impoverished.
Comparison of where nutrients are found
Tropical Rainforest- 52% in Vegetation, 48% in Soil
Temperate Deciduous Forest- 31% in Vegetation 69% in Soil