What Did We See and Talk About Last Week?

What Did We See and Talk About Last Week?

Packing for a trip to the rainforest Biodiversity mats Threats to the rainforest

Packing for a trip to the rainforest Biodiversity mats Threats to the rainforest

Where Are We?Where Are We?

Is this a rainforest?Is this a rainforest?

RainfallRainfall

Site A: Rainfall averages 125 to 660 cm (50 to 260 inches)

Site B: Rainfall averages 200 to 640 cm per year (78 to 252 inches)

Site A: Rainfall averages 125 to 660 cm (50 to 260 inches)

Site B: Rainfall averages 200 to 640 cm per year (78 to 252 inches)

Fast Fact: The average rainfall per year in Death Valley? Less than 4 cm! That’s about 1 1/2 inches!

TreesTrees

Site A: Some tree species live 200 to 2,000 years

Site B Some tree species live 2,000 to 4,000 years

Site A: Some tree species live 200 to 2,000 years

Site B Some tree species live 2,000 to 4,000 years

TreesTrees

How do we know how old a tree is? How do we know how old a tree is?

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TemperatureTemperature

Site A: Between 68o and 93o F

Site B: Between 50o and 70o F

Site A: Between 68o and 93o F

Site B: Between 50o and 70o F

TreesTrees

Site A: Tall, straight trunk trees with no low branches

Site B: Tall, straight trunk trees with no low branches

Site A: Tall, straight trunk trees with no low branches

Site B: Tall, straight trunk trees with no low branches

LayersLayers

Site A: 4 distinct layers -- Forest Floor, Understory, Canopy and Emergent

Site B: 3 distinct layers - Forest Floor, Understory, Canopy *some scientists now say there is an emergent layer

Site A: 4 distinct layers -- Forest Floor, Understory, Canopy and Emergent

Site B: 3 distinct layers - Forest Floor, Understory, Canopy *some scientists now say there is an emergent layer

Forest FloorForest Floor

Site A: soil is very poor in nutrients. Nurse trees provide nutrient for new plant growth, and shelter for animals.

Site B: soil is rich in nutrients, all surfaces in this forest support life. Forest floor is spongy bog, composed of decaying plant matter.

Site A: soil is very poor in nutrients. Nurse trees provide nutrient for new plant growth, and shelter for animals.

Site B: soil is rich in nutrients, all surfaces in this forest support life. Forest floor is spongy bog, composed of decaying plant matter.

Dominant Mammal SpeciesDominant Mammal Species

Site A: jaguar, monkeys, agouti, tapir, sloth, bat

Site B: elk, black bear, moose, mink, otter

Site A: jaguar, monkeys, agouti, tapir, sloth, bat

Site B: elk, black bear, moose, mink, otter

Now you decide:Now you decide:

Is Site A a rainforest?

Is Site B a rainforest?

Do you need more information to make your decision?

Is Site A a rainforest?

Is Site B a rainforest?

Do you need more information to make your decision?

Site ASite A

Is the Amazon Rainforest Is the Amazon Rainforest

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Site B is a Temperate Rainforest

Site B is a Temperate Rainforest

Temperate rainforests are smaller than tropical rainforestsare more endangeredAre found away from Earth’s EquatorHave some of the same characteristics as tropical rainforests

Temperate rainforests are smaller than tropical rainforestsare more endangeredAre found away from Earth’s EquatorHave some of the same characteristics as tropical rainforests

How can there be a rainforest in Alaska?

How can there be a rainforest in Alaska?

Alaska's temperate old growth rainforest covers a 1,000-mile arc of coastline from Ketchikan to Kodiak, and hosts one of the world's largest remaining temperate rainforests. With more than 5 million acres of old growth forest, the region is a globally significant reservoir of biodiversity. It is one of the continent's last refuge of centuries-old coastal tree, and is habitat to large populations of animals that are rare and in jeopardy elsewhere, such as brown bears, bald eagles, wolves, goshawks and all five species of Pacific salmon.

Alaska's temperate old growth rainforest covers a 1,000-mile arc of coastline from Ketchikan to Kodiak, and hosts one of the world's largest remaining temperate rainforests. With more than 5 million acres of old growth forest, the region is a globally significant reservoir of biodiversity. It is one of the continent's last refuge of centuries-old coastal tree, and is habitat to large populations of animals that are rare and in jeopardy elsewhere, such as brown bears, bald eagles, wolves, goshawks and all five species of Pacific salmon.

Goshawk? What’s a Goshawk?Goshawk? What’s a Goshawk?

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Tropical Rainforests form a belt around the Equator

Tropical Rainforests form a belt around the Equator

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Can you find the temperate rainforests?

Can you find the temperate rainforests?

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Temperate Rainforests Are Effected by the Motion of the Ocean

Temperate Rainforests Are Effected by the Motion of the Ocean

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Where would you go?Where would you go?

Where would you choose to go exploring - the tropical

rainforest or the temperate rainforest? Why?

Where would you choose to go exploring - the tropical

rainforest or the temperate rainforest? Why?

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How does the temperate rainforest compare to the tropical

rainforest?

How does the temperate rainforest compare to the tropical

rainforest? Let’s create a list of similarities and

differences! Let’s create a list of similarities and

differences!

Into the Rainforest Part 2Into the Rainforest Part 2

How do scientists monitor the rainforest? How do scientists monitor the rainforest?

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Ground TruthingGround Truthing

Very few scientists and researchers get the chance to live in the area they study year round.

The time they spend on the ground in an area is precious.– They can prove a hypothesis– Calibrate instruments– Speak with residents, other researchers

Very few scientists and researchers get the chance to live in the area they study year round.

The time they spend on the ground in an area is precious.– They can prove a hypothesis– Calibrate instruments– Speak with residents, other researchers