watch the vid.. what’s the story?. what do you know? how much trf has been lost? why is it being...
TRANSCRIPT
Watch the vid.. What’s the story?
What do you know?
• How much TRF has been lost?
• Why is it being lost?
• Why don’t we just replant it?
• What are the consequences of losing it?
• What are the consequences of continuing to destroy it?
• http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/interactive/2011/feb/09/most-threatened-forests-interactive
UNDER CANOPY
• 10- 20 meters above the forest floor
• Few branches• Younger plants waiting to
penetrate the upper canopy
1m
5m
20m
35m
40 - 60m
Forest Floor
Shrub layer
Under Canopy
Main Canopy
Emergents
The structure of a tropical rainforestThe structure of a tropical rainforest
FOREST FLOOR
• Diffused light, therefore not covered with dense plant undergrowth – only receives 1 to 2% of the sunlight
• The plants have adapted to the dark and quiet
• Has shrubs at less than 1 meter
1m
5m
20m
35m
40 - 60m
Forest Floor
Shrub layer
Under Canopy
Main Canopy
Emergents
The structure of a tropical rainforestThe structure of a tropical rainforest
EMERGENTS• Trees that have grown up out
of the canopy• Over 50 meters tall (35 – 60)• Small leaves to prevent
moisture being blown away by the wind, as seeds are
• Unlimited light and sun
1m
5m
20m
35m
40 - 60m
Forest Floor
Shrub layer
Under Canopy
Main Canopy
Emergents
The structure of a tropical rainforestThe structure of a tropical rainforest
THE CANOPY• Covers the rainforest• Captures the energy from the sun• Largest amount of biomass of any ecosystem
on the earth• Largest amount of leaves, fruit and flowers in
the rainforest• At 20-35 meters above the floor• Home to 90% of the organisms found in the
rain forest; many seeking the brighter light
1m
5m
20m
35m
40 - 60m
Forest Floor
Shrub layer
Under Canopy
Main Canopy
Emergents
The structure of a tropical rainforestThe structure of a tropical rainforest
SHRUB LAYER• Only about 5% of the light reaches
this layer.• It is usually dark and damp• Plants here rarely grow to more
than 3.5m in height.
1m
5m
20m
35m
40 - 60m
Forest Floor
Shrub layer
Under Canopy
Main Canopy
Emergents
The structure of a tropical rainforestThe structure of a tropical rainforest
Now check your
answers...
Watch the vid.. What’s the story?
So?
•Deforestation – the removal or destruction of areas of forest.
•Tropical rainforests are being destroyed at the rate of 32,000 hectares per day.
•The size of the remaining forest is about 5% of the world’s land surface.
•80% of the Amazon is ‘untouched’ - selective and small scale deforestation can benefit local communities.
•"Who, or what, is to blame for the destruction of the rainforest?"
Why are tropical rainforests being destroyed? Explain each…(use textbook)
•Logging•Road Building/Urbanisation•Arable farming•Cattle Ranching•Mining – minerals•Oil extraction•Hydro-Electricity Power Stations •Drugs trade
Quick questions
• Where are tropical rainforests located?• Why are they considered ‘fragile
environments’?• What are the main layers of the
rainforests?• Why are rainforests being cut down
(deforestation)?• What amount (total and %) is/has been
damaged?
High End Questions
• Destruction of TRF’s should not be limited?
• Is us telling them to stop is hypocrisy?
• The worlds resources are there to be used?
• Long term consequences don’t matter?