(a) Highlight the characteristics of the equatorial rain-forest
(b) Outline four ways in which climate influences the equatorial rain-forest
Explanation
(a) Characteristics of the Equatorial Rain-forest:
(i) Some of hot humid areas around the equator, e.g. Amazon Basin West African Coastlands, Malaysia, Indonesia, Zaire Basins.
(ii) The trees are big and robust
(iii) They should be up to 60m in height
(iv) They have broad leaves
(v) Evergreen forest
(vi) The branches interlock, forming canopies which are in layers
(vii) Sunlight hardly reaches the ground
(viii) Numerous undergrowth
(ix) Three distinct layers are noticed, namely:
(a) upper
(b) middle
(c) lower
(x) Has the greatest number of plant species.
(xi) Different species of p!ants could be identified in small areas, example include: Obeche, Iroko, Walnut, Ebony, Mahogany, Epiphytes and Linnen fern.
(b) (i) Influence of climate on the equatorial rain forest
(ii) Heavy rainfall -supports numerous plant growth
(iii) High temperature supports the growth of trees, the mean (sea level) temperature of about 27°C with a range of 1° – 3°C enhances the growth of various species of plants.
(iv) Annual rainfall of above 2000mm supports the growth of luxuriant trees
(v) Rainfall throughout the year makes the forest evergreen, hence it is called evergreen forest.