© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Forest Facts © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX The area of rainforests is defined in hectares * (1 hectare - 2.5 acres). The area.

© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX


Forest FactsForest Facts


The area of rainforests is defined in hectares*

(1 hectare - 2.5 acres).

The area of rainforests is defined in hectares*

(1 hectare - 2.5 acres).

Layers of rainforests are called

strata.

Layers of rainforests are called

strata.

Over half the world’s species-

plants and animals-live in the

rainforests.

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.

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

Over 2,000 tropical plants

have been identified as having anti-

cancer properties


Where are rainforests?Where are

rainforests?


Two General Locations of Rainforests

Two General Locations of Rainforests

tropicaltropical temperatetemperate

found in climates where heavy rainfall is received: Latin & South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia (all near equator)

found in climates where heavy rainfall is received: Latin & South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia (all near equator)

warmwarm found in climates where heavy rainfall is received: Chile, New Zealand, Tasmania and on the west coast of North America

found in climates where heavy rainfall is received: Chile, New Zealand, Tasmania and on the west coast of North America

mildmild


Tropic of CancerTropic of CancerTropic of CapricornTropic of Capricorn

tropical rainforeststropical rainforests


temperate rainforeststemperate rainforests


What is a rainforest?What is a

rainforest?


Characteristics of Rainforests

Characteristics of Rainforests

warm average temperaturewarm average temperature

high rainfall production -more than 2,000 mm (78”)

annually

high rainfall production -more than 2,000 mm (78”)

annually

forest area consisting mainly of layers* of

evergreen vegetation

forest area consisting mainly of layers* of

evergreen vegetation

poor soilpoor soil

great biodiversity*great biodiversity*


What is the structure of a

rainforest?

What is the structure of a

rainforest?


Rainforests share many characteristics that give

them a common structure.

Rainforests share many characteristics that give

them a common structure.


Rainforests are made up of 4 layers called

strata.

Rainforests are made up of 4 layers called

strata.


Canopy Canopy

UnderstoryUnderstory

Forest FloorForest Floor

EmergentsEmergents


EmergentsEmergents

best access to sun 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


primary rainforest layer primary rainforest layer

Canopy 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


limited plant growth limited plant growth

UnderstoryUnderstory

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


Forest Floor Forest Floor

poor soil poor soil decomposers are found here; dead plants and animals decompose rapidly

decomposers are found here; dead plants and animals decompose rapidly more animal life than plant more animal life than plant 1-2% of sunlight filters down to thislevel

1-2% of sunlight filters down to thislevel


Rainforest plants have specific structures which enable them to

thrive in certain layers.

Rainforest plants have specific structures which enable them to

thrive in certain layers.

Epiphytes (air plants) grow on other plants

for mechanical support.

Epiphytes (air plants) grow on other plants

for mechanical support.


Understory leaves often havedrip tips, long and pointed, ends whichallow excess water to run offquickly.

Understory leaves often havedrip tips, long and pointed, ends whichallow excess water to run offquickly.


Many animals rarely cross between the

different layers.

Many animals rarely cross between the

different layers.

Rainforest layers are also home to a unique variety of animals.

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.

Observe these animals and their

unique adaptations and determine which forest layer they are best suited.



© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Forest Facts © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX The area of rainforests is defined in hectares * (1 hectare - 2.5 acres). The area.

Documents