Author Question: If a large area of temperate forest is cleared, it can commonly grow back fairly rapidly to ... (Read 28 times)

azncindy619 · **on:** Jul 14, 2018

If a large area of temperate forest is cleared, it can commonly grow back fairly rapidly to something that closely resembles the original forest.

If a large area of tropical forest is cleared, regrowth is slow and the original forest cover may never return. Explain why these forests respond differently to clearing.
What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Where does the greatest rate of species loss occur today?

What will be an ideal response?

phuda · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 14, 2018

Answer to Question 1

The fast nutrient recycling that occurs in the tropical forests and the heavy rainfall lead to low nutrient concentrations in tropical soils. Thus, when trees are cleared from an area, the main reservoir of nutrients in the system is removed and growth slows dramatically. In a temperate forest, regrowth may occur based on the nutrients that have accumulated in the soil due to the low rate of nutrient removal by trees and the low levels of nutrient wash-off that occur with decreased precipitation levels.

Answer to Question 2

The greatest species loss rate today is occurring in tropical forests.