Question 1
Identify four characteristic features of the tropical rainforest biome.
Tropical rainforest has:
a. High species/habitat/niche diversity / high biodiversity / hotspots / many endemic species;
b. High primary productivity / high photosynthetic rate / serve as major carbon sinks / produce a lot of oxygen;
c. High nutrient turnover / high decomposition rate;
d. High rates of insolation;
e. High mean temperatures;
f. Abundant precipitation / high humidity;
g. Nutrient-poor/acidic soils;
h. Thin topsoil layer / rich in organic matter / very deep overall / red colored (rich in iron);
i. Dominated by tall straight trees;
j. Complex/highly branched food webs;
k. Stratified ecosystem / tree buttresses in ground level, dense broad-leaved canopy, emergent trees;
I. Found around the Equator / between Tropics of Cancer \& Capricorn;
m. Low/no seasonality/annual fluctuation in climate (precipitation and temperature);
Note to examiners: Do not credit "found in the Tropics";
see MPI.