The Borneo Rainforest
Catherine Romero
Tropical Ecology PBA
Mr. Mahrer (B-Band)
THE BORNEO RAINFOREST
The tropical rainforest is earth's most complex biome in terms of both structure and species diversity. Tropical Rainforests can be found in South and Central America, Africa, Oceania (the islands around Australia), and Asia (15).Tropical rainforests cover only about 7% of the Earth's surface (13, )All Tropical Rainforests have similar characteristics including climate, precipitation, etc. They are located in a band around the equator. However, not every tropical rainforest can claim exact characteristics when compared by region. Many may blend with adjoining mangrove forests, moist forests, mountain forests, or tropical deciduous forests (13). Sunlight is a major limiting factor. A variety of strategies have been successful in the struggle to reach light or to adapt to the low intensity of light beneath the canopy (14). The seasons do not change in the Tropical Rainforest; it’s always hot and wet. The average temperature year-round is about 80 degrees, and its precipitation is about 100 to 400 inches a year (13). The heat and moisture in the rainforest cause plants and animals to rot quickly once they have died. When these organisms decay, all the rich nutrients are recycled back into the soil to feed the roots of other plants (15). The Soil is infertile, deeply weathered and severely leached. Rapid bacterial decay prevents the accumulation of humus (13). The concentration of iron and aluminum oxides gives the soil a bright red color and sometimes produces mineral deposits (15). The Vegetation in the Tropical Rainforest is very diverse as well as the different animal species. There’s Lianas which are woody vines grow rapidly up the tree trunks (15). There are also the Epiphytes which are the so-called air plants that grow on branches high in the trees, using the limbs merely for support and extracting moisture from the air and trapping the constant leaf-fall and wind-blown
Tropical Ecology PBA
Mr. Mahrer (B-Band)
THE BORNEO RAINFOREST
The tropical rainforest is earth's most complex biome in terms of both structure and species diversity. Tropical Rainforests can be found in South and Central America, Africa, Oceania (the islands around Australia), and Asia (15).Tropical rainforests cover only about 7% of the Earth's surface (13, )All Tropical Rainforests have similar characteristics including climate, precipitation, etc. They are located in a band around the equator. However, not every tropical rainforest can claim exact characteristics when compared by region. Many may blend with adjoining mangrove forests, moist forests, mountain forests, or tropical deciduous forests (13). Sunlight is a major limiting factor. A variety of strategies have been successful in the struggle to reach light or to adapt to the low intensity of light beneath the canopy (14). The seasons do not change in the Tropical Rainforest; it’s always hot and wet. The average temperature year-round is about 80 degrees, and its precipitation is about 100 to 400 inches a year (13). The heat and moisture in the rainforest cause plants and animals to rot quickly once they have died. When these organisms decay, all the rich nutrients are recycled back into the soil to feed the roots of other plants (15). The Soil is infertile, deeply weathered and severely leached. Rapid bacterial decay prevents the accumulation of humus (13). The concentration of iron and aluminum oxides gives the soil a bright red color and sometimes produces mineral deposits (15). The Vegetation in the Tropical Rainforest is very diverse as well as the different animal species. There’s Lianas which are woody vines grow rapidly up the tree trunks (15). There are also the Epiphytes which are the so-called air plants that grow on branches high in the trees, using the limbs merely for support and extracting moisture from the air and trapping the constant leaf-fall and wind-blown
Bibliography: 1. Rhett A. Butler; Borneo rainforest to be protected; massive oil palm plantation canceled; Environmental news-mongabay.com; March 28, 2006; http://news.mongabay.com/2006/0328-borneo.html 4. Largest Flower – Rafflesia; Jan 17, 20011; http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/aboutflowers/largest-flower 5