In this chapter, we will look at the tropical rainforest biome – a unique natural world feature that is distinct due to its climate, flora, fauna and soil. It is important that you fully understand how the climate controls the development of the biome and how human activities have influenced it.
KEY WORDS
l Biome l Amazon Rainforest l Interdependent l Climate l Convectional rain l Humidity l Evaporation l Trade winds l Tropical red soils l Latosols
l Leaching l Nutrient cycle l Laterite l Flora l Fauna l Emergent layer l Canopy layer l Understorey layer l Shrub layer l Forest floor layer
LEARNING OUTCOMES
What you MUST know l The four main characteristics of the tropical rainforest biome
l How climate controls the development of soil, flora and fauna
l How all characteristics of a biome are interdependent
l Human interaction with the Amazon Introduction
Biomes are unique natural world regions, which are controlled by climate. All biomes can be divided into four main components: climate, soil, flora and fauna. These are all interdependent, meaning that they all rely on and are influenced by each other.
GEOECOLOGY 567
What you SHOULD know l The details of the chart indicating the interdependency of the tropical rainforest biome
What is USEFUL to know l Up-to-date information regarding conservation efforts in the Amazon
l Adaptation l Deforestation l Ranching l Cash crops l Mining l Hydroelectric power l Blast furnaces l Yanomami
You must study either this chapter or Chapter 28 Hot Desert Biome.
