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Tropical Rainforests By Anna McCarson Characteristics Tree branches start growing at 100 ft Heavy rainfall High humidity Warm temperature Large variety of plants and animals Unique adaptations Provide many resources to humans In danger Location Typically on or around the equator In places with year-round warmth Rainforests cover less than 6% of Earth’s land surface Climate Temperature between 68˚F and 93˚F Rains year-round Annual rainfall between 125 cm and 660 cm Average humidity levels between 77% and 88% Distinct wet and dry seasons Structure Four main layers: forest floor, understory, canopy (also known as upper canopy), and emergent Forest floor- very dark, little plant growth; decay takes place quickly Understory- many animals, high level of insects, little sunlight Upper canopy- abundant food, many animals, shelters layers underneath, many plants Emergent- large amount of sunlight, tall trees emerge Biodiversity More than half of the world’s animal species and 4/5 of its plant species live in tropical rainforests Large abundance of mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, and plants Each species plays a role in keeping the rainforest healthy (flying foxes, insects pollinate flowers) Plant Life Pitcher plant Orchid Liana (climbing vine) Bromeliad (flower in the pineapple family) Strangler (member of the fig family)- it “strangles” a tree until the tree dies Epiphytes (air plants)- grow on other trees Saprophytes- decomposers Plant Adaptations Oily coatings Drip tips Grooved leaves Turning leaf stalks- turn towards the sun for maximum light Stilt roots- extra support in wet soil Leaf size depends on elevation Animal Life Scarlet macaw Toucan Red-eyed tree frog Poison dart frog (also known as Poison arrow frog) Capuchin monkey Spider monkey Anteater Capybara Jaguar Kinkajou Anaconda Animal Adaptations Coral snake- special jaw helps it capture prey in mid-air Striped possum and lemur aye-aye- long finger on foreleg to pick insects off of trees Jaguar- able to capture prey on ground and carry it up a tree to eat Eagle owl- powerful claws to catch prey Green basilisk- special feet enable them to run on water Insect Life Leafcutter ant Army ant Blue morpho butterfly Postman butterfly Rhinoceros beetle Centipede Snails Slugs Predator vs. Prey Jaguar- fish, rodents, other small mammals Anaconda- birds, fish, rodents, other reptiles Red-eyed tree frog, poison dart frog- crickets, other small insects Howler monkey- insects Green basilisk- insects, small rodents Resources Oxygen Wood Medicine Fruit/agriculture Fibers (carpets) Oils (soaps, other cosmetics) Gums/resins (rubber products, paint) Threats Global warming Pollution Logging Expanded housing/living spaces for humans Limited abiotic factors • • • Space Water Air Preservation Non-profit organizations Government programs Educational programs Sanctuaries Campaigns Laws/restrictions Tours to raise awareness Fun Facts Tropical rainforests produce 40% of the world’s oxygen About one-fourth of our medicines come from tropical rainforests Over 1400 tropical plants could be potential cures for cancer The world’s rainforests are being destroyed at a rate of 6000 acres (4000 football fields)/hour