Why do logged tropical rain forests typically have nutrient-poor soils?
A) Tropical bedrock contains little phosphorus.
B) Logging results in soil temperatures that are lethal to nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
C) Most of the nutrients in the ecosystem are removed in the harvested timber.
D) Nutrients evaporate easily into the atmosphere in the post-logged forest.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Most of the nutrients in tropical rain forests are stored in the biomass of the vegetation. When trees are logged and removed, these nutrients are taken away with the timber, leaving the soil nutrient-poor.

Why Do Logged Tropical Rain Forests Typically Have Nutrient-Poor Soils