TRFs
What are TRFs?
– a type of natural vegetation
– Natural vegetation: plant life that develops without human interference at different
locations of the world
climate:
Average weather conditions of a place over a Kong period of time, usually more than 30 years
– Rainfall and temperature determine the amount of water and sunlight available which
affects plant growth
– tropical climate is between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn
Reading climographs:
Temperature
● annual temperature range (ATR)
– maximum temperature - minimum temperature
● Mean annual temperature (MAT)
– sum of mean temperature ÷ 12 months
Describing temperature
● annual temperature range (ATR)
– large: above 15º
– Moderate: 11 to 15º
– Small: below 10º
● mean annual temperature (MAT)
– high: above 20º
– Moderate: 10º to 20º
– Low: below 10º
Rainfall
● Total annual precipitation (TAP)
– Sum of 12 months of precipitation
● Distribution
– how rainfall is spread across the year
Describing precipitation
● Total annual precipitation (TAP)
– high: more than 1000mm
– Moderate: 250 to 1000mm
– Low: below 250 mm
Describing distribution
Example: even distribution
– cite highest and lowest months
– Evidence:
highest in jan, with 780mm, and lowest in June, with 690mm
● types of distribution:
– Evenly distributed
– Unevenly distributed (seasonal)
– Infrequent
Distribution patterns
How to describe climographs with Data and Analysis
– descriptive word + indicator + evidence
– Example: high mean annual temperature of 26ºc
The tropical wet climate encourages the growth of tropical rainforests and mangroves with
abundant sunlight, high temperature and heavy rainfall throughout the year. This occurs
throughout the year and supports a variety of natural vegetation and continuous plant growth
Describing the distribution of TRFs
● TRFs can be found in the tropics
● Between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn 23.5ºN/S
● More specifically, TRFs can be found between 10ºN/S of the equator
Equatorial climate
● Can be found between the tropics of cancer and Capricorn
● Nearer to the equator
TRFs can be found:
● in parts of central and sound America
● West and central Africa
● Southeast Asia
TRFs in the world
● amazon rainforest in South America
● Congo river basin rainforest in Africa
● Madagascar rainforest in Madagascar
● Rainforests of Southeast Asia
– Malaysia rainforest
– Sumatran rainforest
Summary
TRFs distribution
● between 10ºN/S of the equator
● Central and South America, west and central Africa, Southeast Asia
● Large areas of TRFs
– amazon rainforest in South America
– Congo river basin rainforest in west and central Africa
– Kalimantan rainforest in Indonesia
Climate where they are found
● Areas that experience equatorial climate
● High total annual rainfall (TAP)
● High mean annual temperature (MAT)
● Abundant sunlight, high temperature and heavy rainfall throughout the year
Characteristics of TRF
1. Evergreen forests
– does not shed all their leaves at particular times of the year; plants continuously grow new
leaves to replace older ones that die and fall off
2. Thick and luxuriant forest
– large diversity of plant species and food (fruits, nuts, spices)
3. Dense forest
– trees grow close to one another
4. Hardwood trees
5. Broad-leaved trees
6. Rich biodiversity
Diversity of plant species
● rich biodiversity
– range of plant and animal species found in an area
– Examples:
– tembusu tree
– Tempinis tree
– Tualang tree
– Kapok tree
Structure of TRF
● Emergent layer (>30m)
● Canopy layer (20-30m)
● Understorey layer (~20m)
● Shrub layer (2-5m)
● Ground layer (0m)
● Emergent layer
– upper most layer where some trees rise and tower above other trees
– Consist of the tallest trees (some can grow up to 80m)
– Trees in this layer usually have tall straight an smooth trunks I with few branches
– E.g. tualang tree, kapok tree
● canopy layer
– trees grow close together
– Crowns interlock to form an almost continuous cover
– Very dense vegetation
– Blocks out almost 97-98% of sunlight
– Catches much of rain that falls
– Types of plants that grow in canopy layer:
– Lianas: thick, woody vines that grow on the ground and twine up trees to reach for sunlight
– E.g. monkey ladder vines
– Epiphytes: grow on trees to receive more sunlight. Includes ferns, orchids, mosses, lichens
– E.g. staghorn fern, bird’s nest fern
● understorey layer
– growth is slow and restricted
– Limited sunlight that passes through the continuous canopy layer
● shrub layer
– bushes and saplings (young trees)
– Growth is slow and restricted
– Limited sunlight that passes through the continuous canopy layer
● forest floor / ground layer
– sparse vegetation
– Poorly developed
– Moss, fungi, ferns, lianas and epiphytes and other small plants are thin and widely-spaced
due to lack of sunlight
– Hot and wet environment
– Promotes rapid decomposition where the thin layer of leaf litter (dead leaves) breaks down
to release nutrients
– Forms a nutrient dense layer - humus layer
Adaptations of TRF
● bark and branches
– tall, straight trunks
– Branches spread out near the top of the trees
– This helps trees to obtain the maximum amount of sunlight
● bark
– smooth bark
– Allows rainwater to flow easily from the crown to the roots of the tree
● leaves
– broad leaves
– To absorb as much sunlight as possible for photosynthesis
– drip-tip leaves
– Narrow, downward-pointing tips allow rainwater to run off easily, preventing harmful
bacteria and fungus from growing on leaves
– waxy, leathery or hairy surfaces
– Minimise loss of moisture through transpiration due to high temperatures
● fruits and flowers
– colourful and strong smelling
– Air is usually still (lack of wind) in the TRF, which makes wind dispersal difficult
– Fruits and flowers are colourful and strong-smelling to attract insects and animals in
pollination and seed dispersal
● roots
– shallow roots
– Rapid decomposition of fallen leaves and branches provide nutrients in the soil
– Most nutrients and water are found in the topsoil (hummus layer)
– Water is available throughout the year
– Trees do not need deep roots to obtain groundwater
– buttress roots
– To support heavy weight of trees that grow because of favourable climatic conditions and
competition for sunlight
Summary
● tropical rainforests have 5 main layers:
● Emergent, canopy, understorey, shrub, ground
● They have unique characteristics because of differences in amount of sunlight received
● natural vegetation adapts to the climatic factors and TRF environment
● A Variety of adaptive features are unique to TRF plants
