VEGETATION & SOIL TYPE
Vegetation in Equatorial Regions
Equatorial regions are synonymous with tropical rainforests, which are the most biodiverse
terrestrial ecosystems on Earth. These regions thrive due to consistent high temperatures
(25–30°C) and year-round rainfall (over 2,000 mm annually).
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Key Features of Vegetation
In equatorial regions, the year-round high temperatures and abundant rainfall support plant
growth all year round. The forests here have very dense vegetation. Rainforests cover only
about 6 percent of the Earth’s surface. However, they contain about half of the world’s known
animal species and provide about 40% of the world’s oxygen.
1. Vertical Stratification (Forest Layers):
o Emergent Layer:
Tallest trees (50–60 m) rise above the canopy, e.g., mahogany and kapok.
These trees are adapted to withstand strong winds and receive maximum
sunlight.
o Canopy Layer:
Dense, continuous layer of tree crowns that block 70–90% of sunlight from
reaching the forest floor.
The crowns of the trees in this layer are about 20 meters (about 65 feet) to
40 meters (about 130 feet) high. The crowns of the trees in this layer are
tightly packed together forming a nearly unbroken cover for the forest floor.
This layer is critical for photosynthesis and houses most of the rainforest’s
biodiversity.
o Understory Layer:
Small trees and shrubs that grow in the shade of the canopy, adapted to low
light and high humidity.
Trees in this layer are only a few meters high. Here one can find trees which
only grow to about 15 meters at maturity as well as young saplings which
will eventually grow to reach the canopy.
Shrub Layer: It is composed of small plants such as ferns and small shrubs. Only
about 1% or 2% of sunlight reaches this layer. Few plants are able to thrive there.
o Forest Floor:
Dark and humid, with minimal sunlight.
Contains decomposing organic matter, fungi, and shade-tolerant plants like
ferns and mosses.
It is easy to walk through the rainforest because the area near ground level is
relatively free of vegetation.
In rainforests, a layer of leaf litter can be found on the forest floor. Because of the moisture,
high temperatures and the many decomposers, these leaves and any other organic matter decay
very rapidly. Their nutrients are returned to the soil where they are taken up by plant roots. In
this way, nutrients are recycled quickly and efficiently in rainforests.
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Ways in which plant life has adapted to conditions in a rainforest:
The trees of the rainforest have adapted to the high temperatures and heavy rainfall in equatorial
regions. The leaves are often dark green and thick to protect them from the intense sunshine.
They often have pointed tips called drip tips which allow rain water to drain off quickly.
Rainforest trees do not need thick bark to prevent moisture loss. Therefore, their bark is usually
thin and smooth.
Many trees are tall and have a relatively straight trunk. The branches and leaves are
concentrated near the very top of the tree to maximize the amount of sunlight they receive.
Having leaves on the lower parts of the trunk would not be very useful as very little sunlight
would reach them.
In order to support their great height, many trees have buttress roots (also called plank
buttresses) which extend above the ground and along the trunk on all sides.
Apart from the trees, many other forms of plant life can be found in a rainforest. They have
adapted to life in a rainforest as well. Some plants in the lower layers of the rainforest have very
large leaves in order to make efficient use of the little sunlight which reaches them. Some
plants, known as lianas, are vines which are rooted in the soil and grow up the trunks of trees all
the way into the canopy where their leaves can get more sunlight.
Some plants, known as epiphytes, grow on trees (their roots are not in the soil). They do not
harm the trees and they do not get their nutrients from them. They only use the trees for
physical support.
There are other plants which are parasites. They grow on other plants and get their nutrients
from them, damaging them as they do so.
There are other plants known as strangler figs. They start out by growing on a host tree. Then
they grow long roots down the trunk of the tree and into the soil. These roots grow larger and
begin to surround the trunk of the host tree. Eventually the host tree will die, leaving the
strangler fig in its place.
2. Biodiversity:
o The equatorial rainforests host about 50% of the world’s plant species.
o Common species include hardwoods like teak, mahogany, and rosewood, along
with epiphytes (e.g., orchids, mosses), climbers (e.g., lianas), and parasitic plants.
3. Evergreen Nature:
o Trees remain green year-round due to the lack of seasonal variation in climate.
They shed leaves at intervals, not all at once.
4. Adaptations of Vegetation:
o Broad Leaves: Large surface area to capture sunlight.
o Drip Tips: Allow water to run off leaves, preventing fungal growth.
o Shallow Roots: Absorb nutrients quickly from the thin topsoil layer.
o Buttress Roots: Provide support for tall trees in nutrient-poor soils.
5. High Productivity:
o The combination of abundant rainfall, sunlight, and warm temperatures supports
rapid growth and high productivity.
Economic and Ecological Importance:
Timber Resources: Valuable hardwoods such as mahogany and ebony.
Medicinal Plants: Many rainforest species have pharmaceutical uses.
Carbon Storage: Rainforests act as major carbon sinks, helping regulate the global
climate.
Livelihood: Provide food, shelter, and raw materials for indigenous communities.
Soil Types in Equatorial Regions
Despite the lush vegetation, soils in equatorial regions are often surprisingly infertile. The
primary soil type is laterite soil.
Key Characteristics of Equatorial Soils
1. Laterite Soil:
o Formed under high temperatures and heavy rainfall through intense chemical
weathering.
o Rich in iron and aluminum oxides, giving it a reddish color.
o Nutrient-poor due to heavy leaching caused by rainfall.
2. Thin Topsoil:
o The fertile top layer is shallow and relies on the constant decomposition of organic
matter (leaves, plants, and animal remains).
3. Acidic Nature:
o High acidity in laterite soils limits agricultural potential.
4. Leaching:
o Soluble minerals (e.g., calcium, potassium) are washed away by rain, leaving
behind less soluble materials like iron and aluminum.
5. Dependency on Organic Matter:
o Most nutrients are stored in the vegetation itself, not in the soil. When vegetation is
removed, the soil becomes unproductive.
6. Compaction:
o Laterite soils harden upon exposure to air, forming a crust that prevents water
infiltration and root growth.
In many tropical areas, chemical weathering has produced a reddish clay soil. The soil itself is
not very fertile. However, in a rainforest, there is a continuous supply of leaves, animal
droppings and other organic matter which are quickly broken down with the help of
decomposers and incorporated into the topsoil. Because of this process, the soil in the rainforest
is able to support the dense vegetation. However, once the vegetation is removed, the soil
quickly loses its fertility.
Soil Fertility and Agriculture
Natural Fertility: Limited; relies on the rapid recycling of nutrients from decaying
organic matter.
Shifting Cultivation: Practiced by indigenous communities, but repeated use can
degrade the soil.
Challenges:
o Heavy rainfall leads to soil erosion.
o Deforestation removes organic matter and exposes soil to further degradation.
3. Human Impact on Vegetation and Soil
1. Deforestation:
o Logging, agriculture, and urbanization are leading causes of rainforest destruction.
o Loss of tree cover exposes soil to erosion and reduces biodiversity.
2. Agricultural Practices:
o Slash-and-burn farming enriches the soil temporarily but causes rapid nutrient
depletion.
o Plantation agriculture (e.g., oil palm, rubber) replaces natural forests, further
degrading the ecosystem.
3. Soil Degradation:
o Without the protective cover of vegetation, soils are prone to erosion, compaction,
and loss of fertility.
4. Mining:
o Laterite soils are rich in bauxite (aluminum ore), leading to large-scale mining
operations, which disrupt the natural ecosystem.
5. Climate Change:
o Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns threaten the delicate balance of
equatorial ecosystems.
Positive impacts (sustainable management) and negative impacts (deforestation, soil
erosion, soil exhaustion) of human activities on tropical forests’ biomes.
Positive Impacts Negative Impacts
Reafforestation Programmes- Iwokrama Deforestation-Causes: commercial and small
Centre in Guyana scale agriculture, lumbering, mining, urban
development, squatting
Effects: loss of habitats, soil erosion
(landslides), flooding (water supply affected)
Protection of Forests: Laws and fines
implemented
Educating the populations on the importance
of forests
