geoecology essay correction + advice

RoRo979

doing 4 essays, wondering if someone could make sure they are all ok and ready to learn and if these will indeed have me covered.

Characteristics of a biome:
In this essay I will discuss characteristics of the tropical broadleaf evergreen rainforest. I will discuss climate,soils, flora and fauna of this biome. A biome is a large glocal ecosystem. Each biome has a similar pattern of climate,vegetation etc. Biomes are normally named after there vegetation type e.g desert biome. The tropical rainforest biome is found 5 degrees north and south of the equator(the tropics) e.g south america, africa. south asia

Climate:
The tropical rainforest experiences a tropical climate, temp are High average 27 degrees + show little varitation
annual temp range is 2 degrees.
Climate is due to its position near the equator near the equator, the suns rays are direct so no real change in seasons.
although no real change in seasons the area the receives the most rain and highest temp do change resulting in slight drying and cooling at edge of rainforest biome in June and December.
angle varies only from 90 degrees to 66 degres when it is over tropic of cancer or tropic of capricorn.
equatorial zone is the region of maximum solar heating on the earths surface.
Sunrise at sunset at 6 o'clock
only 2% sunshine reaches forest floor
The biome experiences high levels of rainfall up to 6600mm per year
this rainfall occurs as suns rays are directly overhead heating plants and ground resulting in evaporation
There are up to 200 rainy days with 50% of the rain being its own evaporation.
the water condenses resulting in heavy daily rainfall, humidityup to 88%
Condition of warmth, moisture and sunlight are perfect for the growth of living things. As a result the the climate has led to high levels of bio-diversity
North east trade winds and south east trade winds converge in a low pressure zone close to equator, sun heats it and it rises + condenses.
Constant cloud cover helps to keep humidity high

Flora:
The natural vegetation is jungle/rainforest
The rainforest has a huge floral biodiversity. Rainforests have been called “earth’s lungs”. Many species of plants are yet unknown to science. These plants may contain cures needed by the modern medical society. Many rainforest plants have made adaptations to fit into this biome.
Rainforest trees that need extra support in shallow soils have buttresses, which are broad woody supports at the base of the trees.
Plants develop large drip tip leaves which catch more sunlight and are adapted for high rainfall amounts to run off. Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants to get more sunlight and to avoid herbivores.
Lianas are woody vines that grow up tree trunks to get to the light; there are over 2500 different species of lianas.
The plants in the rainforest grow in 4 distinctive layers.
The emergent layer is the tallest of the layer of trees, which can reach heights of 80m.e.g mahogany. Because emergent trees are exposed to sunlight and breeze, which decreases humidity, smaller leaves. The trunks of these trees are thin as they don’t require protection from frost. The tops of these trees have umbrella shaped outlines.
the Canopy layer Between 20m and 40m is the canopy layer. Plants in this layer have a canopy of vegetation. Leaves are large to catch lots of sunlight. Trees have shallow buttress roots which capture nutrients.Plants found in this layer include vines and epiphytes. Leaves have holes or drip tips to shed the heavy rainfall.
An epiphyte is a plant that grows on another plant but is not parasitic, such as a fern.
The understory is under the canopy. 2- 20m. Tall non flowering shrubs. Plant growth in this layer is limited because of lack of sunlight. Ferns and vines grow in this layer also.
Forest Floor lower 2m. Very dark, as a result few plants grow here.
Vegetation in the tropical rainforest is dependent on the heavy, daily rainfall and hot, humid conditions.


Soil:
The climate has determined the soil type in this biome. The soil that develops in tropical rainforests is known as latosols.
latosol is the zonal soil associated with this biome
These soils endure high rates of weathering due to high rainfall. This rainfall also leads to rapid leaching.
Thin O horizon (humus layer) due to intesnse bacterial activity which rapidly decomposes dead matter. Tropical rainforests have low levels of humus because of huge amounts of decomposers (ants, fungi etc.)
Most minerals in the soil are removed except for iron. Layers of iron build up and this is called laterisation.
the chemical weathering process creates important mineral deposits through a process called ‘secondary enrichment’
this occurs as chemical weather and percolating water concentrate metals into economically valuable concentration
e.g Bauxite is formed due to leaching
Laterisation is a form of intense chemical weathering and leaching the occurs in hot climates.
Laterisation can reach many meters into the ground, these soils can be 40m deep. plants have adapted to this and grow quickly.
the B horizon is very deep and uniform in texture due to intense leaching
If this iron is exposed to air it turns to iron oxide, giving the soil its red colour.
This soil becomes infertile and acidic and if vegetation is removed it becomes useless for growth.
Tropical rainforests have low levels of humus because of huge amounts of decomposers (ants, fungi etc.)
Because plants grow so fast they absorb the available humus immediately using their shallow roots. These soils are, therefore, dependant on the climate, plants and animals for its supply of nutrients. Fast growing plants rapidly use the humus so it isn't leached into the ground
this short nutrient cycle give the impression that the last is very fertile but in fact once forest is removed has very little fertility and crops fail after 2/3 years.
There is a fine balance between the soil and the climate of this biome. If the trees are cut down the soil is deprived of its supply of nutrients and renders it unusable.
Exposed Latsols are baked into a hard brick-like laterite soil which is impossible to cultivate