Tropical Tropical RainforestsRainforests

By Anna McCarsonBy Anna McCarson

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Tree branches start growing at 100 ftTree branches start growing at 100 ft Heavy rainfallHeavy rainfall High humidityHigh humidity Warm temperatureWarm temperature Large variety of plants and animalsLarge variety of plants and animals Unique adaptationsUnique adaptations Provide many resources to humansProvide many resources to humans In dangerIn danger

LocationLocation

Typically on or around the equatorTypically on or around the equator In places with year-round warmthIn places with year-round warmth Rainforests cover less than 6% of Rainforests cover less than 6% of

Earth’s land surfaceEarth’s land surface

ClimateClimate

Temperature between 68˚F and Temperature between 68˚F and 93˚F93˚F

Rains year-roundRains year-round Annual rainfall between 125 cm and Annual rainfall between 125 cm and

660 cm660 cm Average humidity levels between Average humidity levels between

77% and 88%77% and 88% Distinct wet and dry seasonsDistinct wet and dry seasons

StructureStructure

Four main layers: forest floor, understory, Four main layers: forest floor, understory, canopy (also known as upper canopy), and canopy (also known as upper canopy), and emergent emergent

Forest floor- very dark, little plant growth; Forest floor- very dark, little plant growth; decay takes place quicklydecay takes place quickly

Understory- many animals, high level of Understory- many animals, high level of insects, little sunlightinsects, little sunlight

Upper canopy- abundant food, many animals, Upper canopy- abundant food, many animals, shelters layers underneath, many plantsshelters layers underneath, many plants

Emergent- large amount of sunlight, tall trees Emergent- large amount of sunlight, tall trees emergeemerge

BiodiversityBiodiversity

More than half of the world’s animal More than half of the world’s animal species and 4/5 of its plant species species and 4/5 of its plant species live in tropical rainforestslive in tropical rainforests

Large abundance of mammals, Large abundance of mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, and plantsreptiles, birds, insects, and plants

Each species plays a role in keeping Each species plays a role in keeping the rainforest healthy (flying foxes, the rainforest healthy (flying foxes, insects pollinate flowers)insects pollinate flowers)

Plant LifePlant Life

Pitcher plantPitcher plant OrchidOrchid Liana (climbing vine)Liana (climbing vine) Bromeliad (flower in the pineapple family)Bromeliad (flower in the pineapple family) Strangler (member of the fig family)- it Strangler (member of the fig family)- it

“strangles” a tree until the tree dies“strangles” a tree until the tree dies Epiphytes (air plants)- grow on other treesEpiphytes (air plants)- grow on other trees Saprophytes- decomposersSaprophytes- decomposers

Plant AdaptationsPlant Adaptations Oily coatingsOily coatings Drip tips Drip tips Grooved leavesGrooved leaves Turning leaf stalks- turn towards the Turning leaf stalks- turn towards the

sun for maximum lightsun for maximum light Stilt roots- extra support in wet soilStilt roots- extra support in wet soil Leaf size depends on elevationLeaf size depends on elevation

Animal LifeAnimal Life Scarlet macawScarlet macaw ToucanToucan Red-eyed tree frogRed-eyed tree frog Poison dart frog (also known as Poison arrow frog)Poison dart frog (also known as Poison arrow frog) Capuchin monkeyCapuchin monkey Spider monkeySpider monkey AnteaterAnteater CapybaraCapybara JaguarJaguar KinkajouKinkajou AnacondaAnaconda

Animal AdaptationsAnimal Adaptations

Coral snake- special jaw helps it capture Coral snake- special jaw helps it capture prey in mid-airprey in mid-air

Striped possum and lemur aye-aye- long Striped possum and lemur aye-aye- long finger on foreleg to pick insects off of treesfinger on foreleg to pick insects off of trees

Jaguar- able to capture prey on ground Jaguar- able to capture prey on ground and carry it up a tree to eatand carry it up a tree to eat

Eagle owl- powerful claws to catch preyEagle owl- powerful claws to catch prey Green basilisk- special feet enable them to Green basilisk- special feet enable them to

run on waterrun on water

Insect LifeInsect Life

Leafcutter antLeafcutter ant Army antArmy ant Blue morpho butterflyBlue morpho butterfly Postman butterflyPostman butterfly Rhinoceros beetleRhinoceros beetle CentipedeCentipede SnailsSnails Slugs Slugs

Predator vs. PreyPredator vs. Prey

Jaguar- fish, rodents, other small Jaguar- fish, rodents, other small mammalsmammals

Anaconda- birds, fish, rodents, other Anaconda- birds, fish, rodents, other reptilesreptiles

Red-eyed tree frog, poison dart frog- Red-eyed tree frog, poison dart frog- crickets, other small insectscrickets, other small insects

Howler monkey- insectsHowler monkey- insects Green basilisk- insects, small rodentsGreen basilisk- insects, small rodents

ResourcesResources

OxygenOxygen WoodWood MedicineMedicine Fruit/agricultureFruit/agriculture Fibers (carpets)Fibers (carpets) Oils (soaps, other cosmetics)Oils (soaps, other cosmetics) Gums/resins (rubber products, paint)Gums/resins (rubber products, paint)

ThreatsThreats

Global warmingGlobal warming PollutionPollution LoggingLogging Expanded housing/living spaces for Expanded housing/living spaces for

humanshumans Limited abiotic factors Limited abiotic factors

• SpaceSpace• WaterWater• AirAir

PreservationPreservation

Non-profit organizationsNon-profit organizations Government programsGovernment programs Educational programsEducational programs SanctuariesSanctuaries CampaignsCampaigns Laws/restrictionsLaws/restrictions Tours to raise awarenessTours to raise awareness

Fun FactsFun Facts

Tropical rainforests produce 40% of Tropical rainforests produce 40% of the world’s oxygenthe world’s oxygen

About one-fourth of our medicines About one-fourth of our medicines come from tropical rainforests come from tropical rainforests

Over 1400 tropical plants could be Over 1400 tropical plants could be potential cures for cancerpotential cures for cancer

The world’s rainforests are being The world’s rainforests are being destroyed at a rate of 6000 acres destroyed at a rate of 6000 acres (4000 football fields)/hour(4000 football fields)/hour