Rainforests biomass

• How large is the biomass of tropical rainforests?

  • They have the largest biomass of any ecosystem.
  • The average biomass for the Amazon rainforest is 45kg per metre squared.
• Explain why rainforests have such a large biomass (climate)

  • They have the optimal climate for photosynthesis
  • Average daily temperature of 27 degrees with a low annual temp range of 1-2 degrees
  • Daily convectional rainfall with an annual total of 1800-2800mm
  • 12 hours of sunlight daily
  • No seasonal variation in climate
• Why rainforests have high biomass (trees size)

  • Large emergent trees reach over 50m tall to capture more sunlight for photosynthesis
  • They are unstable because their roots are shallow and their crown is heavy but have buttress roots extending 3-4m above the soil to support themselves which increases the biomass
• Continuous growing season (rforests biomass)

  • Trees have an evergreen appearance due to continuous growing season
  • They capture a large amount of energy through photosynthesis as there is 12 hours of sunlight a day and the sun is overhead
  • They are deciduous and evergreen so photosynthesis provides a large amount of energy throughout the year resulting in a large and diverse fauna population