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. High animal and vegetal biodiversity. The last layer of soil is made up of rock and this makes up the majority of the soils content almost half. There are major concerns about deforestation of it and the consequent damage to the soil.

In the soil in a tropical rainforest there is usually a low level of minerals nutrients and organic matter present. 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. Soils remained slightly alkaline pH 7475 with higher concentrations of calcium magnesium and potassium than in acid soils of older rainforests.

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. Due to heavy rainfall. When the soil is acidic there is little difference and therefore little absorption of nutrients from the soil.

The forests are located in the tropical wet humid regions with an average annual rainfall of around 200-225 cm. The top layer is made up of a thin layer of mulch like substance layered in organic matter from animals above it. During the 100 million years rain wash the minerals of the soil out which make the soil acidic and poor in nutrients.

From a soil point of view cutting down of the rainforest disturbs the natural soil-plant cycle and makes the soils extremely vulnerable to soil erosion and loss of this vital topsoil. There are 4 layers of soil in the tropical rain forest. Some soils are also exposed.

Millions of years of weathering have washed most of the nutrients out of the soil. Ground level - contains less vegetation due to the dark damp conditions a thick layer of decomposing leavesand the. Climatic conditions in tropical rainforests have an average of 27 degrees annually and an average rainfall of approximately 200cm with a permanently high humidity.