© 2006 plano isd, plano, tx forest facts © 2006 plano isd, plano, tx the area of rainforests is...
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© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
Forest FactsForest Facts
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
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
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
Where are rainforests?Where are
rainforests?
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
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
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
Tropic of CancerTropic of CancerTropic of CapricornTropic of Capricorn
tropical rainforeststropical rainforests
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
temperate rainforeststemperate rainforests
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
What is a rainforest?What is a
rainforest?
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
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*
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
What is the structure of a
rainforest?
What is the structure of a
rainforest?
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
Rainforests share many characteristics that give
them a common structure.
Rainforests share many characteristics that give
them a common structure.
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
Rainforests are made up of 4 layers called
strata.
Rainforests are made up of 4 layers called
strata.
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
Canopy Canopy
UnderstoryUnderstory
Forest FloorForest Floor
EmergentsEmergents
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
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
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
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
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
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
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
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
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
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.
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
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.
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
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
© 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX
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