Download The Tropical Rainforest - Fitz

By Jack.H, Oliver and Zainab
By Jack.H
Where Tropical Rainforests Are
Found
Tropical Rainforests are found…
(38%)Latin America Except Brazil: The Amazon, Central
America,
(25%)Southeast Asia & the Pacific Islands
(19%)Brazil
(18%)Africa: West Africa, Zaire basin, Congo basin, and
eastern Madagascar
Tropical rainforests are mainly located in a band around
the equator (Zero degrees latitude), mostly in the area
between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N latitude) and the
Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S latitude).
A Map of Where They Are
Found
The Physical Landscape
The Terrain
 Moss and other plants
 Rocks
 tall, straight trees that don't branch out until 100 feet
or more with smooth, thin bark
 healthy, fertile soil
 grasses
 rocky base because of small mountains and hills
covered by the rainforest.
Layers Of The Rainforest
The Emergent Layer
The emergent layer includes trees that are usually
spaced wide apart and range from 100-200ft tall with a
special trait. these trees have umbrella shapes that
grow tall over all other trees. The leaves on these trees
are small and pointed because since they're so tall and
grow above all other trees, exposing them to dry winds.
The emergent trees also have very few branches with
straight and smooth trunks and also have a very
shallow root system.
The Canopy
The canopy layer form a type of room over the
understory and forest floor. The trees that make the
canopy layer have large smooth leaves that come to a
point. These many leaves of the canopy attracts more
sunlight for photosynthesis which provides fruits,
seeds, flowers, and leaves which supports a wide
number of different animal life. The trees create good
living conditions for wildlife such as snakes, toucans,
and treefrogs, providing shelter from harsh weather.
The Understory
The leaves of the understory block the rest of the
light that gets through the canopy from the forest
floor. The huge broad leaves in the understory
captures the light making it humid and dark which
habitats a large amount of insect life.
The Forest Floor
The rainforest floor is relatively clear of vegetation
because of the darkness that the canopy causes. The
canopy diverts the sunlight, and damps the wind and
rain from reaching the floor of the rainforest. Despite
its constant shade, the ground floor of the rainforest is
the site for important interactions. Decomposition
occurs on the forest floor, a process that is needed to
preserve the rainforest. Thousands of plants and
animals also live on the forest floor.
Human Influence
Human Influence Part 2
 Heavy deforestation often completely wipes out
rainforests.
 this deforestation often destroys species.
 it also drives climate change.
 Another effect is (supposed) global warming.
 People also create mining operations in rainforests which
require roads.
 These roads frighten the animals with the sounds
created by cars.
 agriculture also depletes the soil and because of the need
for new soil, people clear more of the rainforest.
By Zainab
Abiotic & Biotic Features
Abiotic helps some animals get shelter. Also some
animals might hide there food between rocks and
more.
Biotic helps by giving animals food and for some animals
shelter.
Food Chain #1
Food Chain #2
Decomposer
 Creatures such as the velvet worm are organisms that live on the forest floor
and feed off small invertebrates. Earthworms are another example of a tropical
decomposer and feed off fallen leaves and tree bark.
Unlike worms, fungi are decomposers that can be found both on the forest
floor as well as on the trunks of trees. Tropical fungi feed on decaying plant
matter and are typically clustered into groups connected by an extensive root
system.
Saprophytic bacteria are typically found ubiquitously in nutrient-rich soils.
High numbers of these bacteria are found in tropical forests, with over 40
million bacteria residing in each gram of soil. These microscopic organisms
feed on both dead plant and animal matter.
Arthropods, such as termites and ants, are common decomposers that, like
fungi, can be found both on the forest floor and on trees. Termites specifically
eat wood, while ants eat animals and fungi.
Adaptations
Animals that hunt at night
When the sun goes down, some animals bed down. Others -including the flying fox bat, the leopard cat and Wallace's flying
frog -- are bright-eyed and on the lookout for a meal. The
adaptation to night hunting gives nocturnal animals the benefit
of reduced competition for food.
size
Large animals, like lions and elephants, live on the plains for
good reason. Size is no advantage in the rain forest where a dense
understory makes movement difficult. Jaguars adapted with a
small but stocky build that makes them speedy hunters and
small enough to sleep in trees.
Carnivores
Cougar
Jaguar
Red Panda
Herbivores
Tapir
Duiker
Quokka
Omnivores
Margay
Coati
Red River Hog
By Oliver
Weather & Climate
Rainforests are important because they help maintain
global weather patterns and rain. Water that
evaporates from trees falls in other areas as rain. They
are lush and warm all year long!
Precipitation
The yearly rainfall ranges from 80 to 400 inches (200
to 1000 cm), and it can rain hard. It can downpour as
much as 2 inches (5 cm) in an hour
Sunshine/Daylight Totals
Humidity
The environment is verywet in tropical rain forests
maintaining a high humidity of 70% to 80% yearround
Air Pressure
Temperatures
The average temperature in tropical rainforests ranges
from 70 to 85°F (21 to 30°C).
Wind Velocity
Weather Patterns
Month To Month Trends
(Throughout The Year)
How do weather patterns
impact the environment and
organisms in it?