AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The high temperature and moisture of tropical rainforests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose more quickly than in other climates, thus releasing and losing its nutrients rapidly. The high volume of rain in tropical rainforests washes nutrients out of the soil more quickly than in other climates.

Detailed explanation-2: -Vegetation in these regions is lush, with large trees and dense vegetation on the ground surface. However, due to high amounts of rainfall and fast uptake of nutrients from decomposing organic matter by plants, the soils in the tropical rainforest are generally nutrient-poor and non-fertile.

Detailed explanation-3: -Why are tropical forest soils poor in nutrients, despite the biodiversity? And how has this affected farming? There’s so much vegetation that they all take the nutrients as soon as they are available. As a result, farmers have to keep moving to newly deforested areas.

Detailed explanation-4: -A majority of the soils in this area are Alfisols and Ultisols. These soils are very old and low in fertility, but since there is a dry season, more of the nutrients can stay in place. In the tropical rainforest, however, rainfall is year round, and can be daily. This strips out most of the nutrients.

Detailed explanation-5: -SOIL COMPOSITION Over two-thirds of the world’s rainforests–including much of those in Madagascar–can be considered “wet-deserts” in that they grow on extremely poor soils which are acidic and low in minerals and nutrients.