Tropical Rainforest Characteristics Soil

Millions of years of weathering have washed most of the nutrients out of the soil.

Tropical rainforest characteristics soil. Some tropical trees have developed huge buttress roots to absorb nutrients from the soil. There are major concerns about deforestation of it and the consequent damage to the soil. The last layer of soil is made up of rock and this makes up the majority of the soils content almost half.

Because of the lack of seasonal differences due to the geographical location of the forests and the high humidity level the vegetation is luxuriant here. Soils remained slightly alkaline pH 7475 with higher concentrations of calcium magnesium and potassium than in acid soils of older rainforests. The tropical rainforest biome has four main characteristics.

Some soils are also exposed. The top layer is made up of a thin layer of mulch like substance layered in organic matter from animals above it. 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.

Most of the soil is not very fertile. Only about 20 of tropical soils are suitable for agriculture. The recurring features of rainforests are basically the following.

Due to the high humid temperatures in tropical rainforests it speeds up and has a rapid fast growing. 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. Soil - Many tropical rainforest soils are very poor and infertile.

The soil is highly acidic. The second level which in also semi small is called the Topsoil this layer of soil is semi poor in nutrients because of plants growing above them taking in all the nutrients as it is produced. The roots of plants rely on an acidity difference between the roots and the soil in order to absorb nutrients.