Tropical Rainforest Mr. Hardt’s Science Class 8 th Grade Level

What Is A Tropical Rainforest? The tropical rain forest is a forest of tall trees in a region of year-round warmth. Rain forests belong to the tropical wet climate group. Rainforests now cover less than 6% of Earth’s land surface Scientists estimate that more than half of all the world’s plants and animal species live in tropical rain forests. Tropical rainforests produce 40% of Earth’s oxygen.

Strata Of The Rainforest There are four very distinct layers of trees in a tropical rain forest. These layers have been identified as the emergent, upper canopy, understory, and forest floor

The Emergent Layer The trees are spaced wide apart and are 100 to 240 feet tall with umbrella- shaped canopies that grow above the forest. Because emergent trees are exposed to drying winds, they tend to have small, pointed leaves. These giant trees have straght, smooth trucks with few branches

The Upper Canopy The upper canopy of 60 to 130 foot trees allows light to be easily available at the top of this layer, but greatly reduced any light below it. Most of the rainforest's animals live in the upper canopy. There is so much food available at this level that some animals never go down to the forest floor. The leaves have "drip spouts" that allows rain to run off. This keeps them dry and prevents mold and mildew from forming in the humid environment

The Understory/Lower Canopy This area consists of 60 foot trees. It is made up of the trunks of canopy trees, shrubs, plants and small trees. There is little air movement. As a result the humidity is constantly high. This level is in constant shade.

The Forest Floor This layer is usually completely shaded, except where a canopy tree has fallen and created an opening. Most areas of the forest floor receive so little light that few bushes or herbs can grow there. As a result, a person can easily walk through most parts of a tropical rain forest. Less than 1 % of the light that strikes the top of the forest penetrates to the forest floor. The top soil is very thin and of poor quality. A lot of litter falls to the ground where it is quickly broken down by decomposers like termites, earthworms and fungi. The heat and humidity further help to break down the litter. This organic matter is then just as quickly absorbed by the trees' shallow roots.

Climate An Average of 50 to 260 inches of rain falls yearly. An Average of 50 to 260 inches of rain falls yearly. A lot of the rain that falls on the rain forest never reaches the ground. It stays on the trees because the leaves act as a shield, and some rain never gets past the trees to the smaller plants and grounds below. A lot of the rain that falls on the rain forest never reaches the ground. It stays on the trees because the leaves act as a shield, and some rain never gets past the trees to the smaller plants and grounds below. in the rain forests, 50 % of the precipitation comes from its own evaporation. in the rain forests, 50 % of the precipitation comes from its own evaporation. The average temperature of a rain forest is about 77°. The average temperature of a rain forest is about 77°. The rain forest is about the same temperature year round and never drops below 64°. The rain forest is about the same temperature year round and never drops below 64°.

Plants A tropical rain forest has more kinds of trees than any other area in the world. A tropical rain forest has more kinds of trees than any other area in the world. Scientists have counted about 100 to 300 species in one 2 1/2-acre area in South America. Scientists have counted about 100 to 300 species in one 2 1/2-acre area in South America. Seventy percent of the plants in the rainforest are trees. Seventy percent of the plants in the rainforest are trees. More than two thirds of the world's plant species are found in the tropical rainforests More than two thirds of the world's plant species are found in the tropical rainforests About 1/4 of all the medicines we use come from rainforest plants. About 1/4 of all the medicines we use come from rainforest plants.

Animals Even though rainforests cover only 6% of the earth's surface, 50% of the earth's animal species live in the rainforest. Even though rainforests cover only 6% of the earth's surface, 50% of the earth's animal species live in the rainforest. Many of the animals of the rainforest are threatened or endangered species because people are cutting down more of the rainforests they live in. Many of the animals of the rainforest are threatened or endangered species because people are cutting down more of the rainforests they live in. Click on an animal to hear them talk. Click on an animal to hear them talk.

Locations of common Rainforests Tropical rain forest can be found in three major geographical areas around the world - Central America in the Amazon river basin - Africa- Zaire basin, with a small area in West Africa; also eastern Madagascar - Indo-Malaysia- west coast of India, Assam, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Queensland, Australia

Why are rainforests important? Many of our medicines come from plants that grow in rainforests. Some of the medicines we now use come from tropical rainforest plants, such as aspirin, heart disease treatment and painkillers. Many of our medicines come from plants that grow in rainforests. Some of the medicines we now use come from tropical rainforest plants, such as aspirin, heart disease treatment and painkillers.

Things You Can Do To Save The Rainforest 1) Use less paper 2) Use less gasoline and plastic 3) Eat less red meat 4) Fundraise for the rainforest 5) Donations to global preserve groups Donations

Miscellaneous Fun Games! Fun Games! Fun Games! Fun Games! Rainforest Campaigns Rainforest Campaigns Rainforest Campaigns Rainforest Campaigns Rainforest Foundation Rainforest Foundation Rainforest Foundation Rainforest Foundation