© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX

Forest Facts

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX The area of rainforests is defined in hectares * (1 hectare acres). The area of rainforests is defined in hectares * (1 hectare acres). Layers of rainforests are called strata. Over half the world’s species-plants and animals-live in the rainforests. People who live in tropical rainforests are indigenous *, or native. People who live in tropical rainforests are indigenous *, or native. The greatest threat to the rainforest is deforestation - cutting down the forests to use the land for other purposes. Over 2,000 tropical plants have been identified as having anti-cancer properties

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Where are rainforests?

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Two General Locations of Rainforests tropical temperate found in climates where heavy rainfall is received: Latin & South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia (all near equator) warm found in climates where heavy rainfall is received: Chile, New Zealand, Tasmania and on the west coast of North America mild

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Tropic of Cancer Tropic of Capricorn tropical rainforests

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX temperate rainforests

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX What is a rainforest?

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Characteristics of Rainforests warm average temperature high rainfall production -more than 2,000 mm (78”) annually forest area consisting mainly of layers * of evergreen vegetation poor soil great biodiversity *

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX What is the structure of a rainforest?

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Rainforests share many characteristics that give them a common structure.

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Rainforests are made up of 4 layers called strata.

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Canopy Understory Forest Floor Emergents

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Emergents  best access to sun  tallest trees (up to 60 m. (200’)  exposed to more sun, wind, rain  only a few emergent trees per hectare  tallest trees (up to 60 m. (200’)  exposed to more sun, wind, rain  only a few emergent trees per hectare

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX  primary rainforest layer Canopy  most dense layer  smaller trees absorb 80% -90% of light  most photosynthesis occurs here  most dense layer  smaller trees absorb 80% -90% of light  most photosynthesis occurs here

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX  limited plant growth Understory  receives little of sun’s original energy  dark, cool  under the leaves, but over the ground  receives little of sun’s original energy  dark, cool  under the leaves, but over the ground

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Forest Floor  poor soil  decomposers are found here; dead plants and animals decompose rapidly  more animal life than plant  1-2% of sunlight filters down to this level  1-2% of sunlight filters down to this level

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Rainforest plants have specific structures which enable them to thrive in certain layers. Epiphytes (air plants) grow on other plants for mechanical support.

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Understory leaves often have drip tips, long and pointed, ends which allow excess water to run off quickly. Understory leaves often have drip tips, long and pointed, ends which allow excess water to run off quickly.

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Many animals rarely cross between the different layers. Rainforest layers are also home to a unique variety of animals. Observe these animals and their unique adaptations and determine which forest layer they are best suited.

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX