Natural Vegetation
Summary Notes
Tropical rainforests
Distribution Structure 5 layers
Between equator to 10o to 20o N & S. Emergents: 40 m Rises above the canopy to compete for sunlight. Forms a continuous, closed canopy layer. Allows only 2% of sunlight to reach forest floor Consists of shade tolerant plants. Plants have large leaves to maximize sunlight collection. V. little undergrowth due to lack of sunlight Consists mainly of moss, ferns and fungi.
Canopy: 25 - 35 m
Understory: 6 - 10 m
Shrub
Ground: 0 m
Tropical rainforests
Diversity Leaves
About 400 species of trees per hectare Broad No distinct wet and dry seasons. Especially in the understory to maximize light collection Allow water to run off to prevent bacterial infection Prevent excess transpiration No need to adapt to the dry season.
Drip tips
Leathery and waxy
Evergreen
Bark Branches Roots
Thin and smooth
No protection against cold or heat required. Due to competition for sunlight. Nutrients found in top soil. Support tall heavy trunks. Attract animals and insects due to lack of wind in forest for pollination.
Found at top of tree
Shallow roots Buttress roots
Fruits and flowers.
Colourful and fragrant
Adaptations to the climate.
Tropical monsoon forests
Distribution Structure 3 layers
From 15o N & S to just beyond tropics (23o N & S). Canopy: 30 m Tropical monsoon climates Has a continuous canopy layer, but is not closed. Plants grow where sunlight penetrates canopy. Mainly moss and lichens Dense undergrowth due to sunlight penetration to forest floor
Understory: 15 m
Ground: 0 m
Diversity
About 200 species Less than tropical forests due of trees per hectare to distinct wet and dry seasons.
Tropical monsoon forests
Leaves
Broad Especially in the understory to maximize light collection Allow water to run off to prevent bacterial infection Prevent excess transpiration To adapt to the dry season.
Drip tips
Leathery and waxy
Deciduous
Tropical monsoon forests
Bark Branches
Thick and rough Protect tree against heat during the dry season. Because there is less competition for sunlight than tropical rainforests Tap underground water during the dry season Found at mid level
Roots
Deep roots
Adaptations to the climate.
Mangroves
Distribution Diversity
Shallow, sheltered saltwater environments Fewer than tropical forest. Not many plants can adapt to the saline water and oxygen depleted soil. More salt tolerant plants grow closer to the shore.
Structure Leaves Roots Fruits
3 layer horizontal structure:
Broad, leathery texture. Drip tips Some have salt glands Prop roots Aerial roots Germinate on tree. Can float
Mangroves special adaptations
Leaves Broad with leathery texture Have salt glands Stores excess salt in old leaves Roots Acts as filter Some have prop roots Reduce transpiration Excrete excess salt Drop off and gets rid of salt. Exclude salt from plant Anchor firmly in muddy soil
Mangroves special adaptations
Aerial roots Obtain oxygen from atmosphere due to waterlogged soil Germinates Less chance that while on the tree fruits are washed away. Some can float Can be carried to for a long time other areas
Fruits
Temperate Coniferous Forest
Distribution Diversity Structure 2 layers
Middle latitudes between 40 to 60o in the northern hemisphere. Very few species of trees Sometimes only 1 2 species in an entire forest Tree layer E.g. northern Europe, Asia, North America, Siberia. E.G. Fir, pine, spruce, cedar. Generally uniform in height. Grow close together to compete for sunlight. Sparse undergrowth due to lack of sunlight reaching the ground. Allows snow to slide off without breaking the branches.
Ground layer
Branches
Springy and compact
Leaves
Evergreen
Needle shaped
Reduces loss of moisture through transpiration. For long cold winters when ground is frozen. Protect tree from severe winter winds and summer fires. Cones protect the seeds through winter.
Drought resistant stores water
Bark Fruits and flowers
Thick
Cones which are the fruits and flowers.
Roots
Shallow spreading roots.
Absorb water from melting ice in the frozen topsoil. *Lower layers can be frozen all year round permafrost.
Adaptations to the climate.
Tropical rainforest Structure 5 layer structure:
Emergent Canopy Understory Shrubs Ground layer
Monsoon rainforest
Temperate coniferous
3 layer structure: One or two Canopy layers
Understory Ground layer Tree layer Scattered shrubs
Leaves
Broad, leathery and waxy, have drip tips. Evergreen 400 species of trees per hectare
Broad, leathery and waxy, have drip tips. Deciduous
About 200 species of trees per hectare
Needle like
Evergreen
Usually monospecific (sometimes two species in the forest)
Diversity
Use of Forest Produces oxygen 1. 2. 3. Habitats 1. 2. 3. Raw materials (wood) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Details Plants produce food through Photosynthesis. Photosynthesis fixes carbon dioxide and removes it from atmosphere. and produces oxygen. Provides water, food and shelter. Contain 50% of all plant and animal species on earth. Provides food and resources to people who live in the forests. Timber (hardwoods and softwoods). E.g. hardwoods: mahogany, rosewood & teak used for furniture floors and ship building. Timber trade estimated at US$200 billion per year. E.g. softwoods: pine, fir & cedar used for construction, furniture and flooring. May be used as fuel in poorer, less developed countries.
Raw materials (others)
[Link] e.g. nuts, berries & spices. [Link] products e.g. Madagascar periwinkle used to fight leukemia. 1. 2. Nature parks set aside for outdoor activities. Offers opportunities to get back to nature.
Recreation
Water catchment basins
1. 2. 3. 4.
Prevent water in rivers and lakes from being contaminated. Forested areas promote the infiltration of water into the soil. Water flowing into rivers and lakes through the ground is cleaned. Water flowing over land is not and may cause soil erosion. Water flowing through the ground takes longer to get to the rivers and lakes. Water level does not rise quickly and flooding averted. Water is provided over a longer period so the rivers and lakes do not dry up in the dry season.
Flood prevention
1. 2. 3.
Consequences of deforestation
Consequences of deforestation Global warming 1. 2. 3.
Details Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. Deforestation removes vegetation which increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. More heat is trapped by the atmosphere. Leads to global warming. Plants require nutrients to survive. Nutrients come from the dead and rotting organic matter on the forest floor. Deforestation reduces the amount of dead biomass on the forest floor. It also increases surface runoff and soil erosion. Soil fertility will decrease.
4. 5. 6. Nutrient cycle disruption and soil deterioration 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Floods
1.
2.
3.
Increase in runoff due to deforestation cause rivers to rise rapidly and exceed their capacity. Soil erosion increases due to deforestation and is deposited on the river bed, making it shallower. Increases the likelihood of flooding.
Water quality
1. 2.
Deposition of organic material washed from forest floor can affect water quality. Decomposition can raise PH levels and affect organisms that cannot adapt. Deforestation through forest burning releases large amounts of smoke into the atmosphere. This haze can affect the health of people prone to respiratory illnesses. As well as kill a lot of wildlife.
Air pollution
1.
2. 3.
Loss of Biodiversity
1. Biodiversity contributes to genetic diversity essential to survival of species. 2. Deforestation reduces biodiversity and may lead to the extinction of many species. 3. Destruction of forests can lead to the loss of yet to be discovered flora and fauna. 4. Lessens our chances of being able to use the chemicals found in these organisms for medicinal purposes. 1. Deforestation disrupts the way of life for many forest tribes. 2. Most tribes have been resettled on reserves. 3. The younger members have migrated to the cities. 4. Thousands of years of culture, knowledge and a way of life will be lost.
Impact on Inhabitants of the rainforest
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Tropical rainforest Branches
Monsoon rainforest
Temperate coniferous Found at all levels and slopes downwards. Compact and springy. Thick
Found mainly Found at at the top one lower levels. third of the tree
Bark
Smooth and thin Shallow
Rough and thick Deep
Roots
Shallow
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