Tropical Rainforest Characteristics Soil

The roots of plants rely on an acidity difference between the roots and the soil in order to absorb nutrients.

Tropical rainforest characteristics soil. Many of these soils are oxisols and ultisols. Runoff and soil erosion characteristics were investigated in three small catchments a virgin forest catchment C1 a 10-year-old line plantation catchment C2 and a 1-year-old line plantation catchment C3. This article addresses the climate and biodiversity of one of Earths most diverse and iconic biomes.

Soils remained slightly alkaline pH 7475 with higher concentrations of calcium magnesium and potassium than in acid soils of older rainforests. Soils remained slightly alkaline pH 7475 with higher concentrations of calcium magnesium and potassium than in acid soils of older rainforests. The recurring features of rainforests are basically the following.

This high rate of decomposition is the result of phosphorus levels in the soils precipitation high temperatures and the extensive microorganism communities. A thin layer of fertile soil is found at the surface where the dead leaves decompose. Climatic conditions in tropical rainforests have an average of 27 degrees annually and an average rainfall of approximately 200cm with a permanently high humidity.

Tropical rainforests are characterized by rainfall and evergreen species. The soils of tropical rainforests are characterized by rapid recycling of fallen leaves and other organic matter due to the large biomass of the rainforest. The tropical rainforest is often in the news for various reasons.

During the 100 million years rain wash the minerals of the soil out which make the soil acidic and poor in nutrients. Some tropical trees have developed huge buttress roots to absorb nutrients from the soil. Only about 20 of tropical soils are suitable for agriculture.

Bacteria and fungi then break down most of the organic matter. Despite the amount of vegetation in the rainforest the soil contains less organic matter than that of temperate forests because the warm humid conditions encourage faster decay and recycling of nutrients back into living forest. Due to erosion over hundreds of millions of years white and sandy soils can be found in some parts of the Amazon River Basin.