Tropical Ecosystems and Biodiversity Quiz

Tropical Environments

• Tropical forests, savannahs, grasslands, and woodlots are characterized by standing trees and diverse ecosystems.
• Deserts are also found in tropical regions.

Uses of Tropical Ecosystems

• Tropical ecosystems support several plant and animal species, leading to a high species diversity index.
• These ecosystems provide various benefits, including:
  • Tropical crops
  • Sequestration of carbon dioxide
  • Medicinal use
  • Soil conservation
  • Timber
  • Fuel
  • Tourism
  • Transpiration
  • Clothes and food
  • Biological diversity
  • Odor absorbing plants

Sun's Rays in the Tropics

• The sun's rays in the tropics are at right angles, whereas in temperate zones, they are slanted.
• This is due to the location of the tropics near the equator (Latitude 25 degrees south and 24 degrees North).

Ecosystem Components

• An ecosystem consists of:
  • Community (group of plant and animal populations living and interacting in a given locality)
  • Population (group of plants or animals of the same species in a given locality at a given time)
  • Organism (individual living thing)

Ecological Niche and Habitat

• Ecological niche refers to a species' total role and function in its environment, including the resources it requires.
• Habitat is the environmental conditions necessary for a species' survival.

Organism Interactions

• Competition among members of the same species (intraspecific competition) and between members of different species (interspecific competition) occurs in ecosystems.
• Examples of interspecific competition include:
  • Plants with many roots absorbing almost all the nitrogen from the soil, killing nearby plants.
  • Hyenas and vultures competing for carcasses.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

• No two species can occupy the same ecological niche in the same place at the same time.
• If one species is better adapted to live in the area, the less-fit species must:
  • Evolve into a slightly different niche
  • Migrate to a different geographic area
  • Become extinct

Symbiosis

• Symbiosis is a close, long-lasting physical or biological relationship between two different species.
• At least one of the species derives some sort of benefits from the interaction.
• Examples of symbiosis include:
  • Forest, grasslands, tundra, marine, freshwater, and deserts ecosystems.

Tropical Ecosystem Characteristics

• Tropical climates are found around the equator (Latitude 25 degrees south and 24 degrees North).
• Temperatures are 18 degrees Celsius or higher, with small temperature changes and long summers.
• High temperature and abundant rainfall allow plants to grow throughout the year.
• Tropical plants are rich in resources, including coffee, cocoa, and oil palm.