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12 Dec 2025

6 pages

Comprehensive Notes on Geography Ecosystems: Deserts and Tropical Rainforests

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raniya

@raniya

Ecosystems are fascinating communities where plants, animals, and their environment... Show more

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GEOGRAPHY
Ecosystems
Ecosystem-
an ecosystem is a community of plants and animais
which interact with eachother and their non-living
environ

Understanding Ecosystems

Think of an ecosystem as nature's neighbourhood - it's where plants and animals live together and interact with everything around them, including soil, atmosphere, and solar energy. It's like a giant web where everything is connected!

The whole system works brilliantly together. Solar radiation powers photosynthesis in plants, rain provides essential water, and soil delivers nutrients through plant roots. When ecosystems are really massive, like entire rainforests or deserts, we call them biomes.

A natural ecosystem is one that humans haven't messed about with - it's nature doing its own thing perfectly. The environment itself is split into two parts: the non-living bits (rocks, soil, air) and the living community (all the creatures, including us).

Quick Tip: Remember that ecosystems are all about relationships - nothing survives alone in nature!

GEOGRAPHY
Ecosystems
Ecosystem-
an ecosystem is a community of plants and animais
which interact with eachother and their non-living
environ

Desert Survival Masters

Deserts might seem impossible to live in, but they're home to some of nature's most clever survivors! These dry areas get less than 250mm of rain yearly and cover a third of Earth's land surface, from North Africa to Australia.

Camels are desert legends with their ability to drink 10 litres in one go, massive feet for walking on sand, and protective eyelashes. Kangaroos have their own cooling tricks - they lick their forearms and dig into cool sand during scorching days.

The fennec fox stays cool by being nocturnal and using its huge ears to release heat, whilst rattlesnakes rely on camouflaged skin and burrowing underground. Even cacti are survival experts with water-storing stems, widespread roots, and spines that reduce water loss.

Remember: Every desert adaptation is about one thing - saving and finding water!

GEOGRAPHY
Ecosystems
Ecosystem-
an ecosystem is a community of plants and animais
which interact with eachother and their non-living
environ

Tropical Rainforest Layers

Tropical rainforests are like nature's skyscrapers, found mainly within 5 degrees of the equator in places like the Amazon. The equatorial climate keeps things hot and wet year-round, with afternoon downpours being totally normal.

These forests have distinct layers, each with its own personality. The emergent layer towers above everything else, whilst the thick canopy below blocks most sunlight. Trees grow tall and thin with buttress roots for support, and lianas (woody vines) climb desperately towards the light.

Because so little light reaches the forest floor, there's hardly any undergrowth down there. It's quite dark and mysterious! The whole system is designed around the fierce competition for sunlight.

Fun Fact: The canopy layer is so thick that it can take a raindrop 10 minutes to reach the ground!

GEOGRAPHY
Ecosystems
Ecosystem-
an ecosystem is a community of plants and animais
which interact with eachother and their non-living
environ

Rainforest Animal Adaptations

Animals in tropical rainforests have developed some seriously impressive skills to thrive in this green maze. Spider monkeys are the ultimate acrobats - their long limbs help them swing up to 40 feet in one go, and their strong tail works like an extra arm for grabbing food.

Red-eyed tree frogs have sticky pads on their toes that work like natural climbing gear, letting them scale any surface with ease. Their bright colours might seem silly, but they're perfectly camouflaged against the colourful rainforest backdrop.

Every adaptation here is about mastering movement and staying hidden. In a forest where everything is vertical and competition is fierce, being able to climb, swing, and blend in can mean the difference between dinner and becoming dinner!

Top Tip: Most rainforest animals live in the trees - the forest floor is surprisingly quiet compared to the busy canopy above!

GEOGRAPHY
Ecosystems
Ecosystem-
an ecosystem is a community of plants and animais
which interact with eachother and their non-living
environ
GEOGRAPHY
Ecosystems
Ecosystem-
an ecosystem is a community of plants and animais
which interact with eachother and their non-living
environ


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Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Geography

29

12 Dec 2025

6 pages

Comprehensive Notes on Geography Ecosystems: Deserts and Tropical Rainforests

user profile picture

raniya

@raniya

Ecosystems are fascinating communities where plants, animals, and their environment work together like pieces of a puzzle. From scorching deserts to lush tropical rainforests, each ecosystem has developed amazing adaptations that help life survive in even the harshest conditions.

GEOGRAPHY
Ecosystems
Ecosystem-
an ecosystem is a community of plants and animais
which interact with eachother and their non-living
environ

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Understanding Ecosystems

Think of an ecosystem as nature's neighbourhood - it's where plants and animals live together and interact with everything around them, including soil, atmosphere, and solar energy. It's like a giant web where everything is connected!

The whole system works brilliantly together. Solar radiation powers photosynthesis in plants, rain provides essential water, and soil delivers nutrients through plant roots. When ecosystems are really massive, like entire rainforests or deserts, we call them biomes.

A natural ecosystem is one that humans haven't messed about with - it's nature doing its own thing perfectly. The environment itself is split into two parts: the non-living bits (rocks, soil, air) and the living community (all the creatures, including us).

Quick Tip: Remember that ecosystems are all about relationships - nothing survives alone in nature!

GEOGRAPHY
Ecosystems
Ecosystem-
an ecosystem is a community of plants and animais
which interact with eachother and their non-living
environ

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Desert Survival Masters

Deserts might seem impossible to live in, but they're home to some of nature's most clever survivors! These dry areas get less than 250mm of rain yearly and cover a third of Earth's land surface, from North Africa to Australia.

Camels are desert legends with their ability to drink 10 litres in one go, massive feet for walking on sand, and protective eyelashes. Kangaroos have their own cooling tricks - they lick their forearms and dig into cool sand during scorching days.

The fennec fox stays cool by being nocturnal and using its huge ears to release heat, whilst rattlesnakes rely on camouflaged skin and burrowing underground. Even cacti are survival experts with water-storing stems, widespread roots, and spines that reduce water loss.

Remember: Every desert adaptation is about one thing - saving and finding water!

GEOGRAPHY
Ecosystems
Ecosystem-
an ecosystem is a community of plants and animais
which interact with eachother and their non-living
environ

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

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Tropical Rainforest Layers

Tropical rainforests are like nature's skyscrapers, found mainly within 5 degrees of the equator in places like the Amazon. The equatorial climate keeps things hot and wet year-round, with afternoon downpours being totally normal.

These forests have distinct layers, each with its own personality. The emergent layer towers above everything else, whilst the thick canopy below blocks most sunlight. Trees grow tall and thin with buttress roots for support, and lianas (woody vines) climb desperately towards the light.

Because so little light reaches the forest floor, there's hardly any undergrowth down there. It's quite dark and mysterious! The whole system is designed around the fierce competition for sunlight.

Fun Fact: The canopy layer is so thick that it can take a raindrop 10 minutes to reach the ground!

GEOGRAPHY
Ecosystems
Ecosystem-
an ecosystem is a community of plants and animais
which interact with eachother and their non-living
environ

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Rainforest Animal Adaptations

Animals in tropical rainforests have developed some seriously impressive skills to thrive in this green maze. Spider monkeys are the ultimate acrobats - their long limbs help them swing up to 40 feet in one go, and their strong tail works like an extra arm for grabbing food.

Red-eyed tree frogs have sticky pads on their toes that work like natural climbing gear, letting them scale any surface with ease. Their bright colours might seem silly, but they're perfectly camouflaged against the colourful rainforest backdrop.

Every adaptation here is about mastering movement and staying hidden. In a forest where everything is vertical and competition is fierce, being able to climb, swing, and blend in can mean the difference between dinner and becoming dinner!

Top Tip: Most rainforest animals live in the trees - the forest floor is surprisingly quiet compared to the busy canopy above!

GEOGRAPHY
Ecosystems
Ecosystem-
an ecosystem is a community of plants and animais
which interact with eachother and their non-living
environ

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

GEOGRAPHY
Ecosystems
Ecosystem-
an ecosystem is a community of plants and animais
which interact with eachother and their non-living
environ

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

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English LiteratureEnglish Literature
10

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user