Use Google Earth to explore where there are rainforests around the World...

What is a Rainforest? Rainforests are very dense, wet and warm forests. They are called a ‘rain’ forest because they have a rainfall of at least 100 inches (254 centimeters) each year. Why are Rainforests important to us? They are very important as the plants of the rainforest generate much of the Earth’s oxygen. Rainforests are found on every continent across the Earth, except Antarctica.

Chocolate is made from cocoa. Cocoa pods grow on trees in rainforests. What do we get from Rainforests? Many of the things we have in our homes comes from the rainforest. These include: avocado bamboo brazil nuts cane sugar chocolate macadamia nuts mayonnaise (coconut oil) medicine papaya passion fruit pineapples rubber spices - includes ginger, allspice, pepper, cinnamon, coconut, vanilla, turmeric and paprika. sugar Chocolate is made from cocoa. Cocoa pods grow on trees in rainforests.

Are there different types of Rainforests? Did you know there are two types of Rainforest -- the temperate and the tropical? Tropical rainforests are found close to the equator. Temperate rainforests are found along coasts in the temperate zone, such as the Pacific Northwest of the USA. Both are endangered! Are all Tropical Forests, Rainforests?  Only a small percentage of the tropical forests are rainforests. To be a tropical rainforest, forested areas must:  Lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.  Receive rainfall regularly throughout the year (80-400 inches per year). Remain warm and frost free all year long (mean temperatures are between 70° and 85°F) with very little daily fluctuation. Consequently, many forested areas in the tropics are not rainforests. Forests that receive irregular rainfall (monsoons followed by a dry season) are moist deciduous forests. Trees in these forests may drop their leaves in the dry season. 

Where are Rainforests located? Tropical rainforests are located near the equator. 57% of rainforests are found in Latin America. One third of the world's tropical rainforests are in Brazil. Other tropical rainforests are located in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands (25% of the world's tropical rainforests) and West Africa (18%). Temperate rainforests are found along some coasts in temperate zones.  The largest temperate rainforests are found on the Pacific coast of North America. They stretch from Oregon to Alaska for 1,200 miles. Smaller temperate rainforests can be found on the southeast coast of Chile in South America. There are a few other coastal strips with temperate rainforests, including small areas in the United Kingdom, Norway, Japan, New Zealand, and southern Australia.

Tropical Rainforest Layers Tropical rainforests have four layers: Emergent Layer  These giant trees thrust above the dense canopy layer and have huge mushroom-shaped crowns. These trees enjoy the greatest amount of sunlight but also must endure high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds. Canopy Layer  The broad, irregular crowns of these trees form a tight, continuous canopy 60 to 90 feet above the ground. The branches are often densely covered with other plants (epiphytes) and tied together with vines (lianas). The canopy is home to 90% of the organisms found in the rain forest; many seeking the brighter light in the treetops.

Tropical Rainforest Layers Understory  Receiving only 2-15% of the sunlight that falls on the canopy, the understory is a dark place. It is relatively open and contains young trees and leafy plants which tolerate low light. Many popular house plants come from this layer. Only along rivers and roadways and in treefall and cut areas is sunlight sufficient to allow growth to become thick and impenetrable  Forest Floor  The forest floor receives less than 2% of the sunlight and consequently, little grows here except plants adapted to very low light. On the floor is a thin layer of fallen leaves, seeds, fruits, and branches that very quickly decomposes. Only a thin layer of decaying organic matter is found, unlike in temperate deciduous forests.

Tropical Rainforest Layers Emergent Layer – The tallest trees are the emergent, towering as much as 200 feet above the forest floor with trunks that measure up to 16 feet all around. Most of these trees are broad-leaved hardwood evergreens. Sunlight is plentiful up here. Animals found are eagles, monkeys, bats and butterflies. Canopy Layer – The is the primary layer of the forest and forms a roof over the two remaining layers. Most canopy trees have smooth, oval leaves that come to a point. It’s a maze of leaves and branches. Many animals live in this area since food is abundant. Those animals include snakes, toucans and tree frogs. Understory Layer – Little sunshine reaches this area so the plants have to grow larger leaves to reach the sunlight. The plants in this area seldom grow to 12 feet. Many animals live here including jaguars, red-eyed tree frogs and leopards. There is a large concentration of insects here. Forest Layer – It’s very dark down here. Almost no plants grow in this area, as a result. Since hardly any sun reaches the forest floor things begin to decay quickly. A leaf that might take one year to decompose in a regular climate will disappear in 6 weeks. Giant anteaters live in this layer.

Which layer would these animals live in?

Explore Rainforests - http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/rforest/index.htm http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/rainforest/Strata.shtml http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www/whlayers.html Tropical Rainforest Links Journey into Amazonia – http://www.pbs.org/journeyintoamazonia/index.html Learn about life in the tropical rainforest: in the water, on the land, and in the trees. Become an Amazon Explorer in a fun interactive game. The site includes extensive teacher resources. Virtual World: Rain Forest at Night – http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/00/earthpulse/rainforest/ Explore an interactive night time Borneo rainforest and the creatures that live there. Temperate Rainforest Links The Temperate Rainforest – http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/temprain.htm This site by Marietta College contains wonderful photos of temperate rainforest phenomena. Olympic National Park – http://www.nps.gov/olym/ This National Park Service site provides much more than just visitor information. Learn about the park's plants and animals, ecosystems, weather and climate, geology, history, and more. Informative handouts include: Rain Forest Weather and Climate Record Trees