Tropical Rainforest Structure and Function

The assignment content discusses the characteristics and functions of a tropical rainforest ecosystem. It describes the structure of the ecosystem in layers, including emergent, canopy, understory, shrub layer, and forest floor. The biotic components include rubber and bamboo trees, anteaters, and bromeliads, while abiotic components are soil, rocks, and water. The ecosystem's function is to absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, stabilize climate, and provide nourishing rainfall. It also explains the concept of biogeochemical cycles, using the carbon cycle as an example. The assignment discusses natural and human-caused disturbances, such as wind and deforestation, and their effects on the ecosystem. Additionally, it highlights the importance of sustaining natural resources, such as rubber and waxes, and promoting ecosystem recovery through responsible management practices.

Tropical rainforest

1
Question 1. Describe where this type of ecosystem might be located. Name 1 specific
example. Describe where this type of ecosystem might be located. Name 1 specific example.
Answer 1. The Tropical rainforests are located near the equator where the temperature remains
constant throughout the year, and the maximum areas of rainforest are found in Brazil.
Question 2. Describe the structure of the ecosystem.
Answer 2. The structure of a tropical rainforest is in the form of layers including the emergent
layer, canopy, understory, shrub layer and forest floor.
Question 3. List at least 3 specific examples of both abiotic components and biotic
components for the ecosystem type selected.
Answer 3. Three examples of biotic components are rubber and bamboo trees, anteaters, and
bromeliads. Three examples of Abiotic components are soil, rocks, and water.
Question 4. Describe the function of the ecosystem.
Answer 4. Their function is to absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and to produce oxygen.
They also stabilize climate and provide nourishing rainfall to the planet (Stork, 2016).
Question 5. In your own words, explain or define biogeochemical cycle.
Answer 5. When the chemicals cycle through both the biological and the geological world it is
called as a biogeochemical cycle. In the tropical rainforest, the trees bring water from forest floor
which is evaporated in the atmosphere.

2
Question 6. Describe the steps in the carbon cycle as an example of one biogeochemical
cycle.
Answer 6. Step 1- respiration (breathing) and combustion (burning). Step2- absorbed to make
carbohydrates in photosynthesis and then putting off oxygen. Step3- Animals and plants go
through respiration process and then die. Step4- The dead organisms eaten by decomposers and
carbon is returned to the atmosphere.
Question 7. Describe disturbance and recovery.
Answer 7. A disturbance is defined as a temporary change caused in the environmental
conditions which in turn causes the change in the ecosystem. There can be natural as well as
human disturbances to the ecosystem. Recovery is the renewal and restoration of degraded,
destroyed or damaged ecosystems caused by human action (Cronk, 2015).
Question 8. Describe 1 natural and 1 human-caused disturbance to the ecosystem that you
have chosen.
Answer 8. The most important natural disturbance element in rainforests is wind. Regarding
human dimension, environmental abuse for example deforestation causes disturbances.
Question 9. Describe the damage to the ecosystem for each example, including how the
abiotic and biotic characteristics of the ecosystem changed.
Answer 9. Deforestation causes an increase in floods and landslides in cyclones.
The intensity of windstorms also affect the abiotic and biotic elements of the ecosystem and
causes disturbances like forest pathogens and change in the wind speed.

3
Question 10. Provide 2 examples of natural resources provided by the ecosystem that you
have selected.
Answer 10. Rubber and waxes are natural resources provided by this ecosystem. Many plants
also provide cures for disease (Cole, 2014).
Question 11. How can these be sustained into the future?
Answer 11. It can be sustained by following the concept of TREES" which stands for:
 Teach
 Restore
 Encourage
 Establish
 Support
Question 12. How can humans act as good stewards to assist ecosystem recovery?
Provide 1 example specific to the ecosystem that you have chosen.
Answer 12. Humans can turn down the global thermostat by putting a stop to the destruction
of mature forests and thereby keep carbon from being released into the atmosphere
For example- by promoting Earth-friendly planting and management of young forests.

4
References
Stork, N. E., Srivastava, D. S., Eggleton, P., Hodda, M., Lawson, G., Leakey, R. R. B., & Watt,
A. D. (2016). Consistency of effects of tropical forest disturbance on species composition and
richness relative to use of indicator taxa. Conservation Biology.
Cronk, Q. C., & Fuller, J. L. (2014). Plant invaders: the threat to natural ecosystems. Routledge
Cole, L. E., Bhagwat, S. A., & Willis, K. J. (2014). Recovery and resilience of tropical forests
after disturbance. Nature communications, 5.