1. Miss. Wyman’s Presentation- 8th Grade Science
Tropical Rainforest
Miss. Wyman’s Presentation- 8th Grade Science

2. Where do you find Tropical Rain Forests?
They are mostly located by the equator (the line that cuts our planet into 2 halves)

3. What makes up a Rainforest?
Tropical rainforests are very wet places, they are close to the equator and get lots of sunlight.
The temperatures are almost always high and this makes them an ideal place for trees to grow.
Rainforest trees are very different from trees of the temperate forests. In the rainforest, trees grow to gigantic sizes.
They are supported by the trunk that help to stabilize them in the shallow forest soils.
Plants and vines grow on the tree trunks and provide food for herbivorous animals.

4. Layers of the Rainforest
There are 4 layers in the rain forest
Emergent Layer
Canopy Layer
Understory
Forest Floor

5. Climate It is very humid because of all the rainfall
It is located very close to the equator which means it is very warm all the time.
The average temperature is 77°Fahrenheit
The can on average have up to 100 inches of rainfall per year
Because of all the rain it has tons of plant life

6. Animals found in the Rainforest
Anaconda:  The anaconda lives in the swamps and rivers.  They also climb trees.  Adults can get as big as 20 feet long.  Anacondas are good swimmers.  They have scales and can swim quickly. They kill their prey by constricting (squeezing) and drowning.
Blue and Gold Macaw:  This member of the parrot family resides in South America.  They live in the forest canopy where they search for fruit.  Their beaks are designed to peck at the fruit and crush the seeds and nuts
Chimpanzees: Chimpanzees are part of the ape family. They have long arms and legs and swing from branch to branch in the canopy of the rain forest.  They do not have tails. (Monkeys have tails, but apes do not)  They eat fruit and nuts.  They use twigs as tools to dig for food.
Frogs: Not all frogs are green.  Poison dart frogs come in many colors to ward off their enemies.  The poison from these frogs can kill its predators.

7. Animals cont.
Gorillas:  Gorillas are part of the ape family.  They eat plants and fruit.  Gorillas amble around the forest floor using their feet and knuckles.  They can move quickly for a short distance.
Iguana:  Iguanas are a type of lizard.  They live in the rain forests.  They live along the banks of the rivers and in tree branches.  They are usually a  green to gray color.  They are herbivores.
Leopards: Leopards are part of the cat family.  They can climb trees and move swiftly.  They often pounce on their prey from the trees above.  
Parrots:  They are many varieties of parrots in the rain forest.  Not all rain forests have the same species.  Parrots have strong beaks that help them crack the hard nuts and seeds they eat.  The cracking of these seeds allows some to fall to the forest floor and the seeds then begin to grow, helping to replenish the rain forest.  
Porcupines:  Porcupines live on the forest floor.  They have very sharp spines that protect them from their enemies.
Sloth: The sloth has very strong claws to help it cling to tree branches.  The sloth is a very slow moving animal.  It often takes a day to climb up and down a tree. The sloth often sleeps hanging upside down, using his firm grip to keep from falling.
Check it out!

8. Plant Life in the Rainforest
Bamboo:  Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world.  They can grow 6-15 inches a day.  They can grow as tall as 120 feet .  Bamboo, although hard like wood, is actually a member of the grass family. Bamboo is used in the tropics to build houses, rafts, and bridges. 
Banana Plants: The banana plant is grown all over the tropics for its fruit. Bananas grow in bunches. 
Ferns:  Ferns are spore producing plants.  Most grow in damp, shady places, but some grow in dry soil and rocks.  Some are air plants that grow on trees.  Ferns come in a variety of sizes, some are very small and others can be large bushes.  
Hibiscus:  There are many different species of hummingbirds in the rain forests.  They are important because they help pollinate flowers like the hibiscus.
Lianas: Lianas are climbing plants.  They climb the canopy in search of light.  They wrap around branches and link from tree to tree.  Lianas send roots that hang in midair. These roots spread when they hit the ground and help support other climbing plants.
Palms: There are many varieties of palm trees. They now can be found around the world. They produce a fruit called coconuts. The palms grow along the shores of the tropics.

9. Interesting Facts
Rain forests cover less than 6% of the earth's total land surface
Rainforests are home for up to three-fourths of all known species of plans and animals
Rain forests have three to four different levels:
1/3 of all the birds in the world live in rainforests
Frogs in the rainforest are very bright and shiny
A rainforest can have more ants, in weight and numbers, than anything else
30 million species of plants and animals liver in the world's rainforests
Two thirds of the world's plants are found in the rainforest
Thundershowers, on average, occur 200 out of 365 days a year which creates a very humid atmosphere

10. Why save the Rain Forest?
Almost half of the drugs give by doctors that are used in the USA come from rainforest plants.
Children with leukemia are treated with a drug from a rainforest flower.
Heart disease are treated with some medicines made from rainforest plants.
Burning the forest adds to the greenhouse effect.
Without the rainforest to soak up rain and release it slowly, floods and droughts become more common.
Many species of birds, animals, and plants will not be able to find the right conditions they need in order to live, and they will become extinct.
Pictures

11. How to help the Rain Forest
The most important thing you can do is learn about what a rainforest is, how it works, and how unique it is.
Recycling is the easiest thing you could do. If you have bottles or cans, try to bring them to your local recycling center
Teach others about the importance of the environment and how they can help save rainforests.
Restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests have been cut down.
Encourage people to live in a way that doesn't hurt the environment
Establish parks to protect rainforests and wildlife
Support companies that operate in ways that minimize damage to the environment

12. Check out these site!
Rainforest Pictures
Video
How you can help