Water Cycle
water that exists in the ground either in the soil or in rock layers below the surface
Groundwater
Organisms that feed on dead organic material, especially plant detritus (e.g., springtails, mites, and beetles).
Detritivores
Main layer of the forest. Provides abundant food sources for several animal species.
Canopy
human activities that impact natural ecosystems such as rangelands, croplands, and dense settlements.
Human Disturbance
Loss of water from the leaf, how plants interact with the water cycle
Transpiration
Tiny invertebrates found in the soil that play essential roles in decomposition and nutrient cycling.
Microarthropods
Darkest layer of the rainforest. The rate of decomposition is very fast at this layer.
Forest Floor
global ecological patterns shaped by human interactions with ecosystems
Anthrome
Small pores on the leaf surface that have the ability to open and close to allow for gas exchange
Stomata
True or False: The rainforest has the highest soil quality found on earth.
False
Plants are limited by light at this layer. Provides habitat for a diversity of animals and insects.
Understory
The number of different species found in an area.
Species richness
water that flows over the land from precipitation or melting of snow or ice
Runoff
What is this animal called?
Mite
Plants are not limited by light at this layer. Consists of the tallest trees of the rainforest that rise about the other layers.
Emergent
How evenly individuals are distributed among different species.
Species evenness
Transpiration
What is this animal called?
A springtail
What abiotic factor is used to define the layers of the rainforest the most?
Light
What is the species richness of this example?
Species A: 25 individuals
Species B: 30 individuals
Species C: 45 individuals
SR= 3