Consider the following statements:Statement-I: The soil in tropical rain forests is rich in nutrient

Question

Consider the following statements:Statement-I: The soil in tropical rain forests is rich in nutrients.Statement-II: The high temperature and moisture of tropical rain forests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose quickly.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

In the rainforest, most of the carbon and essential nutrients are locked up in the living vegetation, dead wood, and decaying leaves. As organic material decays, it is recycled so quickly that few nutrients ever reach the soil, leaving it nearly sterile.The high temperature and moisture of tropical rainforests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose quickly. Decaying matter (dead wood and leaf litter) is processed so efficiently because of the abundance of decomposers including bacteria, fungi, and termites. These organisms take up nutrients, which are released as wastes when organisms die. Virtually all organic matter is rapidly processed, even fecal matter and perspiration.It is only a matter of minutes, in many rainforests, before dung is discovered and utilized by various insects. Hence, statement 1 is not correct and statement 2 is correct.