What have you learned about tropical rainforests?
Question
Describe how the climate of the tropical rainforest influences the animals that live there and the vegetation that grows there.
(Hint, refer to climate graph and quote months and figures. Explain how animals and plants adapt to these conditions.)
Rainforests have a similar climate all year. The temperature changes very little across the year but there is greater variations with rainfall. The highest monthly rainfall is in March with over 300 mm and the lowest rainfall occurs in August with under 50 mm.
Temperatures vary little throughout the year. The highest monthly temperature is 29°C which occurs in September. The lowest monthly temperature is 26°C which occurs in December and January. The annual temperature range is 2°C.
Due to the different layers of the rainforest, very little sunlight reaches the forest floor making it hard for plants to grow. Some plants called epiphytes have adapted by growing on the trunks and branches of trees to get sunlight to grow and to absorb the nutrients from the tree.
Many trees have shallow roots. There is only a thin layer of fertile soil so they only need shallow roots to reach the nutrients. They have buttress roots that spread over a wider area to reach more nutrients and to provide better support.
Sloths have specialised tendons in their hands and feet that lock into place, allowing them to hang upside down for long periods of time without wasting any energy. Their diet of leaves is low in calories so they have a slow metabolism that saves energy.
Howler monkeys have a great sense of smell. They have short snout with wide O shapes nostrils; these noses are capable of smelling food such as fruits and nuts from over two kilometres away.