Tropical Rainforest Ecology Concepts

The video explores the diversity of tropical rainforests, highlighting the California Academy of Sciences' mission to study and sustain these ecosystems. It describes the rainforest's vertical layers, each with unique species, and emphasizes the importance of biodiversity. The video also discusses species richness and evenness, explaining how diverse ecosystems are more stable and resilient to changes like deforestation and climate change. Despite current knowledge, many questions about rainforest diversity remain unanswered.

What is the primary mission of the California Academy of Sciences regarding tropical rainforests?

• To relocate the species to zoos

• To deforest and develop the land

• To explore, explain, and sustain them

• To convert them into agricultural land

Which layer of the rainforest receives the least sunlight?

• Canopy

• Understory

• Forest floor

• Emergent layer

What type of animal is commonly found in the rainforest understory?

• Camouflaged insects

• Poison dart frogs

• Squirrel monkeys

• Leaf cutter ants

Which layer of the rainforest is known for having the highest species richness?

• Forest floor

• Understory

• Canopy

• Emergent layer

What is species evenness?

• The number of different species in an area

• The abundance of each species in an area

• The height of trees in a forest

• The amount of sunlight received by a layer

Why is Community B considered more diverse than others?

• It has more sunlight

• It has fewer species

• It has greater species evenness

• It has more species

Why are more diverse ecological communities considered more stable?

• They have taller trees

• They receive more sunlight

• They are less affected by disturbances

• They have fewer species

What environmental changes can a diverse tropical rainforest better respond to?

• Increased tourism

• Decreased sunlight

• Increased rainfall

• Deforestation and climate change

What is one of the unanswered questions about tropical rainforests?

• How much rainfall do they receive?

• What is the average temperature?

• How tall are the trees?

• Why are they so diverse?

What opportunity do we have regarding tropical rainforests?

• To explore and explain their diversity

• To cut down trees for timber

• To convert them into urban areas

• To drain them for agriculture