Sydney Zeldes, Audrey Marr, Miranda Ho Tropical Rain Forest Sydney Zeldes, Audrey Marr, Miranda Ho

RAINFOREST ALLIANCE “Every forest counts” Tropical Rainforest: luscious, warm & exotic “Every forest counts”

MAPS Tropical Rainforest Locations

Features of the biome High biodiversity Many available niches Little to no wind Can be dark under rainforest canopy

Climate

Climate (continued) Tropical Climate No dry season Avg. yearly precipitation: 250 cm Humid, rainy, hot, wet 4 cm rain/ month Avg. temp: 77F

Tropical Rainforest Average Yearly Temperature and Rainfall

Landscape *Covers less than 6% of Earth’s land surface. *Tropical rainforest produce 40% of earth’s oxygen. *100 to 300 species in one 2 ½-acre area in South America. *3 largest rainforest: the American, the African and the Asian. *The majority of trees have smooth, think bark because there is no need to protect them from water loss and freezing temperature. *Plants grow really fast that they consume the nutrients from the decomposed leaf litter. *Most of the nutrients are in the trees than in the soil. *Soil are infertile and acidic due to weathering. *Humid *Contain over 15 million species of plants and animals live within the biome. *The forest is divided into different layers/ strata. Each layer contains unique plants and animals. Forest floor: receive only 2% sunlight, clear of vegetation, fungi’s growing Understory layer: shrubs, herbs. Small trees, and large woody vine, 5% sunlight. Canopy: primary layer, large trees, dense are of biodiversity, 90% of organisms Emergent layer: small number of very large trees grows above the canopy, 100 to 240 feet tall trees.

Seasonal Information Weather wise, the best time to visit the tropical rainforest is during spring, fall, and wintertime because the temperature is won’t be as hot and humid as the summer time. Humid and hot year long except it is the worst during summer time. Frequent rainfall The best time to see the animals is during springtime.

Levels of the Forest

Unique Features *Occur near the equator *The layered system *High biodiversity *Over 25% of natural medicines have been discovered in the rainforest *Hot/ warm and humid year long

Plants Trees are tall Grow up to 275 feet for competition for light Do not lose leaves Topsoil is thin Largest trees are anchored by large horizontal roots (buttresses) Leaves are large and long High rate of photosynthesis is required to survive competition for nutrients, light and space. Very high productivity of both plants and animals Produces more mass of both plants and animals than other types of forests.

Adaptations camouflage coloring to warn predators that they are poisonous brightly colored animals ate just bluffing fight for food, sunlight, and space-some birds develop strong beaks to crack open tough nut shells

Tourist Activities *Hike to a lake to see giant lilypads. *Excursions to see feeding or nesting Macaws, Parrots and Toucans. *Hike to a manakin lek. *Jungle survival training. *Visit native communities. *Visit conservation projects *View a diversity of primate species. *Bathe under a small waterfall in a glade filled with orchids. *Insect collecting. *Evening lake boat trips to view southern constellations and nocturnal wildlife, such as boat-billed herons, potoos, owl monkeys and more. *Search for boa constrictors and other snakes. *View brilliant tropical fish such as cichlids, angel fish, tetras, etc.

Environmental Issue The Human interactions with the tropical rainforest has been disastourous almost destroying the forest and killing many animals in the process. The human interactions have been negative, they have cut down thousands of acres football fields worth. Furthermore, the vast climate change due to human and other interfering changes has vastly damaged the tropical rainforest. -Cutting Down Trees -Animal exploitation/ Hunting -Climate Change