1. Tropical Rainforest
N. Makofsky

2. Species Diversity Quick Facts
The tropical rainforest has more species of plants and animals than any other part of the world, with a significantly fewer amount of each
Plants adapt to rain by shedding water off their leaves quickly so the branches don't get weighed down and break
Over 2,500 species of vines grow in the rainforest and make up 40% of the canopy leaves
Trees of the same species are very seldom found growing close together which prevents mass contamination from disease or insect infestation
There may be 40 to 100 different species of animals in 2.5 acres (1 hectare) of a tropical rain forest
Plants:
Bromeliads, Carnivorous Plants (like Pitcher Plants), Epiphytes (air plants that grow on branches high in the trees), Lianas (woody vines), Orchids, Saprophytes, Stilt / Prop Roots, Strangler Fig, Bengal Bamboo, Bougainvillea, Curare, Coconut Tree, Durian, Jambu, Kapok Tree, Mangrove Forests, Tualang
Animals:
Africa Forest Elephant, Bengal Tiger, Chimpanzee, Common Palm Civet or Musang, Dawn Bat, Golden Lion Tamarin, Jambu Fruit Dove, King Cobra, Kinkajou, Linn's Sloth, Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, Red-shanked Douc Langur, Silvery Gibbon, Slender Loris, Sumatra, Rhinoceros, Toco Toucan, Vampire Bat, Wagler's Pit Viper

3. Important Information
Solar Insolations (seasons): Temperature and rainfall are both high and even throughout the year, which is what classifies a tropical rainforest as such.
Temperature:
The average annual temperature is 77°F. The average minimum monthly temperature is a humid 64°F.
Limiting Factor:
Sunlight is a major limiting factor.
Beneath the canopy, there is a low
intensity of light that plants and animals
must adapt to in order to survive.
Precipitation:
Tropical Rainforests can average as little as 6 feet, or as much as 30 feet, of rainfall per year. What distinguishes a true rain forest is the distribution of precipitation throughout the year—there are no dry seasons. They receive at least 4 inches per month, but usually more. If a rain forest does have dry periods, they are usually short and unpredictable.

4. Food Chain Energy from the sun Bromeliads Ant Fungus Jaguar Sloth
It is important to know that throughout the food chain, energy is constantly being released!
Energy from the sun
Bromeliads
Producers
Ant
Primary Consumer
Fungus
Decomposer
Jaguar
Tertiary Consumer
Sloth
Secondary Consumer

5. The Four Layers of the Rainforest
Emergent Layer-
Tallest trees are the emergents, standing as high as 200 feet above the forest floor with trunks that measure up to 16 feet around.  
Most of these trees are broad-leaved, hardwood evergreens
Much sunlight since it is the top layer of the rainforest
Canopy Layer-
Primary layer of the forest, forms a roof over the two lower layers  
Most canopy trees have smooth, oval leaves that come to a point… there are a maze of branches in this layer
Many animals live in this area since food is abundant
Understory Layer-
Little sunshine reaches this area so the plants must grow larger leaves to reach the sunlight
The plants in this area rarely grow to reach 12 feet
Many animals and insects live here
Forest Floor-
Very dark down here, since it is the lowest layer
Almost no plants grow in this area
Since hardly any sun reaches the forest floor things begin to decay quickly