Interdependence of Tropical Rainforests
Geography: AQA GCSE, topic 2.2.2
Interdependence of Rainforest Ecosystems
Tropical rainforests are highly interdependent. This means that all the different parts depend on one another, and so a change to a particular part of the ecosystem will have knock-on effects for all the other parts.
Interdependence between climate and soil
- Decomposition happens rapidly because of the humid, warm, and moist climate in a tropical rainforest.
- This rapid decomposition creates a nutrient-rich layer of soil and this can allow plants to grow very fast.
- The speed of plant growth is tied to the soil and the nutrients within the soil.
Interdependence between plants and animals
- Animals get their nutrition (energy, food, nutrients, and minerals) by eating plants, or by eating animals that have eaten plants themselves.
- The vegetation in tropical rainforests is very dense. This means that there is a lot of food for primary consumers and other plant-eating animals. There being a lot of food for plant-eating animals means that there are more of them alive, and therefore, more food for meat-eating animals higher up the food chain.
- Because of this, rainforests can support large animal populations.
The effects of deforestation
- Humans are impacting plant and animal life in rainforests.
- Deforestation involves chopping down trees, exposing the forest floor to sunlight and reducing the number of trees in the rainforest.
- Fewer trees absorb less carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
- Soil erosion increases, reducing the quality of the soil and reducing the ability of rainforests to support large animal populations. Trees that used to catch rainwater and protect the soil have been removed, leaving the soil exposed.
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Tropical rainforests are...
Through what process do people reduce tree cover in rainforests?