Compare the climates in two African ecosystems: the tropical rainforest and the Sahara.The rainforest has a very high rainfall and high biomass of trees and other vegetation.The Sahara is a desert and has extremely low rainfall and almost no vegetation.In these two ecosystems, which processes of the hydrologic cycle would be expected to predominate?
A) Precipitation and evaporation in both ecosystems
B) Precipitation and transpiration in the rainforest; evaporation in the desert
C) Precipitation and transpiration in both ecosystems
D) Evaporation and transpiration in both ecosystems
E) Precipitation in the rainforest; evaporation and transpiration in the desert

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the tropical rainforest, precipitation and transpiration would predominate due to high rainfall and abundant vegetation. In the Sahara desert, however, due to the lack of vegetation and low rainfall, evaporation would be the dominant process of the hydrologic cycle. Transpiration would also be low in the Sahara because there are few plants to release water vapor. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate answer.

Compare the Climates in Two African Ecosystems: the Tropical Rainforest