Rainforest Biome
Location
Climate The average temperature 20 and 30 degrees Celsius Tropical rainforest are located at the equatorial latitude, 0 - 23 N Average rainfall count is between 50 and 260 inches per year, and occurs evenly over the course of the year.
General Information The Tropical Rainforest contains the most diversity of species then any other biome Rainforest cover less then 6% of land surface on Earth Tropical Rainforest produce about 40% of Earth’s oxygen. Tropical Rainforest have more kinds of different trees then any other biome. About one quarter of the medicines used today come from rainforest plants.
Amazonian Rainforest The Amazon River Basin is home to the largest rainforest on Earth. The basin -- roughly the size of the forty-eight contiguous United States -- covers some 40 percent of the South American continent and includes parts of eight South American countries. While the Amazon Basin is home to the world's largest tropical rainforest, the region consists of a number of ecosystems ranging from natural savanna to swamps. Even the rainforest itself is highly variable, tree diversity and structure varying depending on soil type, history, drainage, elevation, and other factors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEsV5rqbVNQ&nohtml5=False
Amazonian Rainforest Flora Mahogany Brazil nut trees Orchid Coffee Cacao Bromeliad
Amazonian Rainforest Fauna Golden Lion Tamarin Toucan Macaw Jaguar Anaconda
Asian Rainforest The Southeast Asian rainforests are the oldest, consistent rainforests on Earth. Southeast Asia is a 3,100 mile long chain of about 20,000 islands strung between Asia and Australia. It covers and area of 1,112,000 square miles, almost twice the size of Alaska. One interesting feature of the lowland rainforests of Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra is the dominance of one family of trees, the Dipterocarpaceae. Dipterocarp are emergent trees and can reach heights of 120 feet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w6vgctJIr4
Asian Rainforest Flora Pitcher Plant Tea Rice Bengal Bamboo Dipterocarp Jambu
Asian Rainforest Fauna Bengal Tiger King Cobra Orangutan Sumatran Rhinoceros Jambu Fruit Dove
African Rainforest The African rainforest can be found spread across east, central, and west Africa and cover over 2.2 million square miles (3.6 million square kilometers). Compared to other rainforest through out the world the rainforests in Africa are dry. They receive between 63 and 78 inches (1600 and 2000 mm) of rainfall per year. It is one of the world's most threatened ecosystems. Every second an area of rainforest the size of a football field is being destroyed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGQs_ljsmuI
African Rainforest Flora Okoume Strangler figs Wild date palm Flame Lily Maidenhair
African Rainforest Fauna Okapi Gorilla Elephants White Rhino Chimpanzees
Flora Adaptations Most trees have a thin, smooth bark. The smoothness of the bark may also make it difficult for other plants to grow on their surface. Some have adapted to life in the rainforest by having their roots in the ground and climbing high into the tree canopy to reach available sunlight. Many leaves have drip tips enable rain drops to run off quickly Many live on the surface of other plants.
Fauna Adaptations Many mammals have fur that repels water. Some only eat a specific food that many other animals do not eat. Some are active at night to avoid high temperatures and competition. Some are highly camouflaged to hide, while others are brightly colored to warn.
Positive Effect of Humans With increased tourism in the tropical rainforest, more economic support has come forward allowing for more protection of the habitats to be created. Increased tourism has created a positive effect on wildlife and protection of the rainforest species. Some species have increased in population size from the help of humans.
Negative Effect of Humans When agriculture was invented, tropical rainforest took a hit. Humans have been able to clear large parts of the forest to produce their crops, turning the area into an open farmland, or in logging. It is estimated that more than 36 football fields are lost every minute of every day.
Article
Montage: Jane Goodall
Video How the Nature Works: Jungles
Video Questions What is the main herbivore in the rainforest? How are plants defending themselves? Heliconius caterpillars have unique body chemistries that counteract the ______ in passion flower vine leaves. Rainforest trees depend on ______ seed dispersal more than any other method of seed dispersal. Which insects are crucial to the survival of the Brazil nut tree? How does the agouti assist the Brazil nut tree?