Download Rainforest - BSHyear8Geography

Tropical rainforest structure
LO:
To understand the structure of
the Rainforest
To understand how plants and
animals are adapted to the
conditions within the Tropical
rainforest
 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Geography
Geography
Using only evidence from the
diagram above, describe three
characteristics of the natural
vegetation in areas of tropical
rainforest.
 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Structure of the rainforest
Geography
The dominant plants in a rainforest are giant trees. The hot
wet climate enables them to grow all year round, and they
remain evergreen, continuously shedding their leaves and
growing new ones.
The average height of rainforest trees is about 45 metres,
although the emergence (trees which tower above the
others) may go as high as 90 metres. Smaller trees growing
the under story (layer between the canopy and the forest
floor).
Several layers can be identified within the forest
 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Rainforest layers
Geography
Emergent layer, trees can be 200 feet high. Most
trees are broad-leaved, hardwood evergreens.
Sunlight is plentiful up here. Animals found are
eagles, monkeys, bats and butterflies.
Canopy layer forms a roof over the two
remaining layers. Most trees have smooth,
oval leaves that come to a point. It forms a very
dense layer. Food is abundant for animals
including snakes, toucans and tree frogs
Under canopy. Little sunshine reaches here so
the plants have to grow larger leaves to reach
the sunlight. The plants in this area seldom
grow to 12 feet. Many animals live here
including jaguars, red-eyed tree frogs and
leopards and many insects.
Forest floor. It's very dark here and so no plants
grow here, Things begin to decay very
quickly. A leaf that might take one year to
 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
decompose
in ause
regular
climate will disappear
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only
for non commercial
in schools
in 6 weeks. Giant anteaters live in this layer.
Geography
Emergent layer, trees can be 200
feet high. Most trees are broadleaved, hardwood evergreens.
Sunlight is plentiful up
here. Animals found are eagles,
monkeys, bats and butterflies.
 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Canopy layer - formed by the crowns of the tall trees andGeography
contains a mass of branches, Leaves, flowers and fruit.
Conditions in the canopy vary, and include:
•Hot sunshine
•Heavy rainfall
•Tropical storms
Canopy layer forms a roof over the two remaining
layers. Most trees have smooth, oval leaves that
come to a point. It forms a very dense layer. Food is
abundant for animals including snakes, toucans and
tree frogs
 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Geography
Middle layer (under canopy)- the Vegetation here is more
sparse. The trees tend to have pointed crowns and, when a
giant tree falls, they grow quickly to fill a gap in the canopy
Conditions within the forest on more or less constant:
There is little variation in temperature
The air is moist and still
Rain on the canopy drips to the forest floor several minutes
later
A breeze is rare, even during storms
Little sunshine reaches here so the plants have to grow larger
leaves to reach the sunlight. The plants in this area seldom
grow to 12 feet. Many animals live here including jaguars,
red-eyed tree frogs and leopards and many insects.
 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Geography
Forest floor
It's very dark here and so no plants grow here, Things
begin to decay very quickly. A leaf that might take
one year to decompose in a regular climate will
disappear in 6 weeks. Giant anteaters live in this layer.
 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Geography
Rainforest plants
And the enormous the number of different species of plants grow in
rainforests, with many species occurring only in one particular region.
Unlike other forests, rain forests have an abundance of :
Epiphytes
plants which live above the ground growing on
tree trunks and branches, Example orchids,
ferns, mosses
Climbing plants
including large woody climbers called lianas
which are rooted in the soil and usually reach the
canopy. The climbers twist around the tree trunks,
and loop from one tree to another in the canopy,
binding the trees together.
 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Strong scent of fruits attracts
animals, which feed on the
fruit and assist in dispersal
of the seeds
Thick, waxy surface of
leaves protects against
hot sun, heavy rain,
and strong winds
Aerial roots of
epiphytes absorb
moisture from the
air
Geography
Strong scent and bright
colours of flowers
attract insects which
assist in pollination
Tall straight trunks
no side branches
Thin, smooth bark
Shallow spreading
root system
Buttress roots
 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Geography
Pitcher plant - a carnivorous plant.
Parasitic plant
slippery rim
tendril
Orchid - sun-loving roots
attached themselves to
branches and absorb nutrients
Insects falling into the
pitcher are digested, and
nutrients which are released
are absorbed by the plant.
 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools
Geography
Explain the relationship between
the natural vegetation
characteristics and the climate of
the tropical rainforest.
 Tom Abbot, Biddulph High School and made available through
www.sln.org.uk/geography and only for non commercial use in schools