Mojave Desert & Tropical Rainforest

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  • Tropical Rainforests
    • 4 Layers
      • Shrub layer: Dark/gloomy, with little vegetation between the trees. Prone to flooding during heavy rainfall.
      • Under canopy: Second level up, limited sunlight, meaning saplings wait for larger plants/trees to die so a gap appears for them to grow into.
      • Canopy: Most trees found here. A typical home for insects, arachnids, birds and some mammals.
      • Emergent: Top layer in the rainforest, with the tallests trees, and so are able to get more light than average trees.
    • Vegetation
      • Fan palms: Large fan-shaped leaves that are good for catching sunshine and water.
      • Lianas: Woody vines that start at ground level, and use trees to climb up to the canopy layer, where they spread from tree to tree to get more light.
      • Strangler figs: Starting at the top of a tree from a seed, and makes its way down the trunk to the ground. It gradually surrounds the host, strangling it, whilst robbing nutirents. Eventually the host dies and decomposes, leaving the strangler fig.
  • Mojave Desert
    • Off-road vehicles damage the sensitive desert cover. Vegetation is damaged and effects wildlife in the area.
    • Growth of urban areas reduces the desert environment and reduces biodiversity, causing alot of pollution.
    • Cables are routed under the desert, causing it to be dug up frequently, disrupting the fragile ecosystem.
    • The Hoover Dam was built so there is a constant water supply.
    • People could have artificial lawns that do not need watering to reduce water
    • People are encouraged to use xerophytic plants AKA desert plants, meaning little water is needed.
    • Designated off road driving areas are put in place to encourage people not to damage the deserts.
    • Children are educated in schools about environmental damage and conservation areas have been fenced off.

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