1. Rainforests

2. Two Types of Rainforests Tropical – Located along the equator – 80-400 inches of rain per year – Temperature between 70-85 degrees Temperate – Could be located anywhere (even Alaska) – 50-140 inches of rain per year – Temperature between 50-80 degrees

3. Rainforest Layers

4. EmergentCanopy -Top Layer - Trees are 100-240 feet tall. - Tops of trees are shaped like umbrellas. -Trees are 60-130 feet tall. - Most of the animals in the rainforest live in this layer. Some never go to the forest floor. UnderstoryForest Floor -Sometimes called Lower Canopy - Trees are 60 feet tall. -Completely Shaded - Due to little light, very few plants and animals live in this layer. -Mostly inhabited by termites and fungi.

5. Tropical Rainforests Most of the rainforests in the world are tropical. They make up only 6% of Earth’s surface, but contain over half of Earth’s plants and animals.

6. Animals of the Amazon Rainforest A few of the animals you will find in the Amazon Rainforest are: -Toucans -Parrots -Poison Dart Frogs -Jaguars -Ocelots -Howler Monkeys -Anacondas -Electric Eels -Piranhas -Vampire Bats Watch Video!

7. Plants of the Amazon Rainforest Some plants you will find are: -Kapok Trees -Strangler Figs -Coconut Trees -Mangrove Trees -Bengal Bamboo

8. Amazon Rainforest The Amazon Rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world. It is located in South America along the Amazon River basin. Covers 2.5 million square miles and is part of 9 different countries.

9. Amazon Rainforest 20% of Earth’s oxygen is produced there More than 5 million species of plants, animals, and insects

10. Rainforest Destruction Unfortunately, rainforests across the globe are being destroyed at a substantial rate.

11. Reasons for Destruction Logging Farming Ranching Mining

12. Reasons to Save the Rainforests Millions of animals and people live there. Many products, including foods and medicines, come from the rainforests. Rainforests affect Earth’s climate. Cutting down and burning trees releases carbon dioxide, which leads to global warming.

13. References Blue Planet Biomes. (2008). Rainforests. Retrieved May 28, 2010 from http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.htmlhttp://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.html Kids saving the rainforest: Animals they protect in the Manuel Antonio Rainforest [Video], Retrieved May 28, 2010 from http://www.youtube.com Monabay Kids. (2009). Rainforest Facts. Retrieved May 28, 2010 from http://kids.mongabay.comhttp://kids.mongabay.com Nature. (2010). Rainforests. Retrieved May 28, 2010 from http://www.nature.org/rainforests/explore/facts.html http://www.nature.org/rainforests/explore/facts.html World Culture Pictorial. (2010). Rainforest Images. Retrieved May 28, 2010 from http://www.worldculturepictorial.com/images/content2/amazon_r ainforest_sea_of_green.jpg