1. The Tropical Rainforest

2. Lesson Content Lesson Content4
Physical characteristics of the rainforest. Interdependence of climate, water, soils, plants, animals and people. 5
How plants and animals adapt to the environment. 6
Issues related to biodiversity 7
Changing rates of deforestation 8
A CASE STUDY to illustrate: 1) Causes of deforestation – farming, logging, road building, mineral extraction, energy development, settlement, population growth. 2) Impacts of deforestation – economic development, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, contribution to climate change: Borneo? 9
Value of rainforests to people and the environment 10
Strategies to manage sustainability – selective logging and replanting, conservation and education, ecotourism and international agreements, debt reduction

3. Tropical Rainforests are mainly located between Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. They are found in South America, Africa, southern Asia and northern Australasia

5. Atmospheric cells

6. Atmospheric cells

7. Atmospheric cells

8. Task: Draw a climate graph for Manaus in Brazil
Month
Rainfall (mm)
Average Temp © J
260 26 F
250 28 M
320 A
275 24
270 25 80 50 27 35 S 70 29 O
120 N 20 D
220

9. Task: Draw a climate graph for Manaus in Brazil
Tropical Rainforest biomes have over 2000mm of rainfall annually. Temperatures are generally between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius. High temperatures cause rapid evaporation, which increased humidity levels during the day. This leads to convectional storms. Heat and rainfall provide ideal conditions of plant growth.
Month
Rainfall (mm)
Average Temp © J
260 26 F
250 28 M
320 A
275 24
270 25 80 50 27 35 S 70 29 O
120 N 20 D
220
2. Add the above info and describe your graph

13. In areas of tropical rainforest, there is little variation in the hours of daylight throughout the year and no significant seasonal differences. As a result, trees lose leaves throughout the year.
The hot, wet conditions create ideal conditions for plant growth and form a unique environment.
The TR has a rich biodiversity supporting the largest range of plant an animal life of any biome.
Estimate suggest 50% of all life on the planet’s land masses is found within the rainforest. A greater density of species is found within the rainforest than any other ecosystem.

14. The living (biotic) features of the rainforest such as plants and animals and non living (abiotic) features such as temperature and rainfall are interdependent.
Any change to one affects the other. E.g. plants and animals need light, heat and rainfall to thrive. If the plants are removed, it affects conditions in the rainforest because, since soils are often poor, much of the energy is stored in vegetation, therefore removing the plant removes nutrients. This in turn affects the water and nutrient cycle of the rainforest.

15. In the rainforest, most of the carbon and essential nutrients are locked up in living vegetation, dead wood, and decaying leaves. As organic material decays, it is recycled so quickly that few nutrients ever reach the soil, leaving it nearly sterile. 

16. Tasks Highlight the key points on your sheet
Add a picture of the labelled feature to the diagram
Colour coordinate the box to the feature
Answer the 10 questions.

17. Add these labels and diagrams to your layers sheet

18. Rainforest Layers and adaptions
The tropical rainforest biome is located in multiple regions around the world. All of them are located near the equator. This placement means that this biome is very hot and humid year - round, with a very constant temperature. In Manaus, the capital city of Amazonas, Brazil, the average temperature is 30 degrees Celsius year-round. The Amazon contains more than half of the world's rainforests. These forests are home to hundreds of species. 1/3rd of the world's species, to be more precise. The tropical rainforest biome has great biodiversity. Even though this area is considered a tropical rainforest, it is also known as a monsoon climate, for its heavy rainfall year-round. The air in the Amazon forest is very humid, because of the hot, wet climate. The soil in the Amazon is very poor but there is lush vegetation and wide range of species. Because of the humid climate, plants grow plentifully, making the oxygen very rich. The tropical rainforest biome is located near the South Pacific Ocean, the South Atlantic Ocean, and North Pacific Ocean.
Rainforest Layers and adaptions
Emergent Trees grow over 50m high as they out-compete neighbouring in trees. They can withstand winds and high temperatures. Birds such as parrots and eagles thrive here. Parrots have sharp, curved beaks to crack open nuts and access fruit growing in the trees. They have also developed four toes on each foot, which help clamber through the dense rainforest foliage
Emergent layer
Canopy
The canopy trees grow to around 20-40m in height. They compete for the sunlight overhead. Leaves have drip tips, which prevent them from staying wet and rotting. Strong light levels mean that there is an abundance of life here e.g. monkeys, sloths, pythons. The spider monkey has long limbs to move through the trees and sharp nails for peeling off the bark to eat the sap underneath. Epiphytes are plants that grow on branches and obtain their nutrients from water and air.
Understory
The under canopy receives 5% of the sunlight falling onto the forest floor. It is hot, damp and shaded from the wind. Vines, called lianas, climb through the trees to reach the light. Amphibians such as frogs and toads are found here because it is close to water supplies on the ground. The flying frog has web-like feet, which allow it to glide through the air to escape predators
Shrub Layer
The shrub layer consists of tree saplings and shade tolerant ferns. Orchids thrive in damp conditions here. The largest beetle in the world, the Titan Beetle, lives in the shrub layer. The beetle is well adapted to this layer as it feeds on decaying material and capable of flying
Print the black and white copy of this
Ground layer
Ground Layer receives very little light. Hot, wet conditions cause rapid decomposition of fallen leaves. Saprophytes are found at this layer (plants, fungi and micro-organisms that tolerate low light levels and get nutrients from breaking down dead matter.
Anteaters are mammals that live here, they have long tongues and can gather 35,000 ants and termites each day, and sharp claws to tear open ant hills. They also have a good sense of smell to find food on dark forest floor.

19. Questions How have parrots adapted to survive in the emergent layer?
What height do the trees in the canopy grow to?
How have leaves in the canopy adapted to prevent them from rotting?
How do Epiphytes obtain their nutrition?
Why do lianas climb up trees?
How has the Titan Beetle adapted to survive in the shrub layer?
How has the anteater adapted to survive in the ground level?
Why is the soil in the rainforest considered nutrient poor?
How have trees adapted to be able to grow so quickly without falling over?
Why are there very few branches lower down a tall trees trunk?
Questions

23. Rainforest Layers and adaptions
The tropical rainforest biome is located in multiple regions around the world. All of them are located near the equator. This placement means that this biome is very hot and humid year - round, with a very constant temperature. In Manaus, the capital city of Amazonas, Brazil, the average temperature is 30 degrees Celsius year-round. The Amazon contains more than half of the world's rainforests. These forests are home to hundreds of species. 1/3rd of the world's species, to be more precise. The tropical rainforest biome has great biodiversity. Even though this area is considered a tropical rainforest, it is also known as a monsoon climate, for its heavy rainfall year-round. The air in the Amazon forest is very humid, because of the hot, wet climate. The soil in the Amazon is very poor but there is lush vegetation and wide range of species. Because of the humid climate, plants grow plentifully, making the oxygen very rich. The tropical rainforest biome is located near the South Pacific Ocean, the South Atlantic Ocean, and North Pacific Ocean.
Rainforest Layers and adaptions
Emergent Trees grow over 50m high as they out-compete neighbouring in trees. They can withstand winds and high temperatures. Birds such as parrots and eagles thrive here. Parrots have sharp, curved beaks to crack open nuts and access fruit growing in the trees. They have also developed four toes on each foot, which help clamber through the dense rainforest foliage
Emergent layer
Canopy
The canopy trees grow to around 20-40m in height. They compete for the sunlight overhead. Leaves have drip tips, which prevent them from staying wet and rotting. Strong light levels mean that there is an abundance of life here e.g. monkeys, sloths, pythons. The spider monkey has long limbs to move through the trees and sharp nails for peeling off the bark to eat the sap underneath. Epiphytes are plants that grow on branches and obtain their nutrients from water and air.
Understory
The under canopy receives 5% of the sunlight falling onto the forest floor. It is hot, damp and shaded from the wind. Vines, called lianas, climb through the trees to reach the light. Amphibians such as frogs and toads are found here because it is close to water supplies on the ground. The flying frog has web-like feet, which allow it to glide through the air to escape predators
Shrub Layer
The shrub layer consists of tree saplings and shade tolerant ferns. Orchids thrive in damp conditions here. The largest beetle in the world, the Titan Beetle, lives in the shrub layer. The beetle is well adapted to this layer as it feeds on decaying material and capable of flying
Print the black and white copy of this
Ground layer
Ground Layer receives very little light. Hot, wet conditions cause rapid decomposition of fallen leaves. Saprophytes are found at this layer (plants, fungi and micro-organisms that tolerate low light levels and get nutrients from breaking down dead matter.
Anteaters are mammals that live here, they have long tongues and can gather 35,000 ants and termites each day, and sharp claws to tear open ant hills. They also have a good sense of smell to find food on dark forest floor.