The Rainforest Ecosystem

Learning objectives: To describe the characteristics of the tropical rainforest Explain how the rainforest ecosystem works including the layers of the rainforest Explain how plants and animals are adapted to the tropical rainforest ecosystem

To Start – How would you describe the Tropical Rainforest? HJH 2013 What may be good words to use….

Link back to climate graph for the rainforest What is the climate of the tropical rainforest like? How may the climate link to the characteristics of the rainforest shown in this image?

The soil The vegetation which grows in TRFs has to contend with several problems. There are two main ones. Any ideas? Temperature (ºC) Rainfall (mm) Very Hot! Very Wet! Very thin and unfertile

The Nutrient cycle

Nutrient Cycle Twigs and leaves fall to the ground and become ‘litter’ Decomposition (breaking down) of litter by termites, fungi and bacteria Nutrients enter the soil Soil is fertile Dense vegetation Copy this diagram. Try to add some sketches to help you remember this.

Links within the ecosystem Using the information from the previous 4 slides explain how the climate, soils and vegetation are linked Words that could help you: Humid, hot, nutrients, decomposers, dense, dark, sunlight, unfertile, thin

Describe the global distribution of tropical rainforests (3)

Task 4 – A Rainforest Country or not? Using your completed world map with all the rainforests marked on decide which countries have tropical rainforests. 1.Brazil 2.Thailand 3.Sudan 4.Cameroon 5.Indonesia 6.Chile 7.United Kingdom 8.Madagascar 9.Angola 10.Cambodia 11.Cuba 12.Japan Brazil Thailand Sudan Cameroon Indonesia Chile United Kingdom Madagascar Angola Cambodia Cuba Japan (RED = YES) LO2. To describe where tropical rainforests are found. LO3. To illustrate the location of tropical rainforests

The rainforest canopy Key Words Canopy Under Canopy Shrub Layer Emergent

Structure of Tropical Rainforests

Structure of Tropical Rainforests Task 1 Write these terms in the correct place. Under- canopy Canopy Emergent Trees Forest Floor CANOPY UNDER-CANOPY FOREST FLOOR EMERGENT TREES

The Forest Floor

The Canopy Emergent tree

The tropical rainforest canopy Plants have had to adapt to living in tropic conditions (hot and wet). Plants grow well in the damp heat – so well that they have to fight for sunlight.

The tropical rainforest canopy One way to win is to grow tall and straight. Trees battle to reach above the canopy for more sunlight.

Layers of the rainforest

Watch the planet earth DVD Watch the BBC Planet Earth Jungles DVD using the worksheet to help your structure your notes

“Something that is changed or changes to become suitable to a new or special situation.” ThinkSharePair

TRF Trees

Trees are branchless. Trunks are tall and thin. Trees are evergreen. drip tips Leaves are waxy and have drip tips. buttress roots Some trees have large buttress roots. Creeping lianas Creeping lianas climb high into the canopy, dropping their roots down to the ground. Epiphytes Epiphytes are plants that grow in the branches of trees – they use the tree for support, not for food. A Rainforest Tree Why are they so special?

 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through and only for non commercial use in schools Strong scent and bright colours of flowers attract insects which assist in pollination Strong scent of fruits attracts animals, which feed on the fruit and assist in dispersal of the seeds Thick, waxy surface of leaves protects against hot sun, heavy rain, and strong winds Aerial roots of epiphytes absorb moisture from the air Tall straight trunks no side branches Thin, smooth bark Buttress roots Shallow spreading root system

How have plants adapted to the conditions of the rainforest? Thick vines loop around the tree trunks to reach sunlight. Air plants perch up high on branches. Ferns adapt to life in the shade. Roots grow close to the surface to get nutrients.

 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through and only for non commercial use in schools Rainforest plants And the enormous the number of different species of plants grow in rainforests, with many species occurring only in one particular region. Unlike other forests, rain forests have an abundance of : Epiphytes plants which live above the ground growing on tree trunks and branches, Example orchids, ferns, mosses Climbing plants including large woody climbers called lianas which are rooted in the soil and usually reach the canopy. The climbers twist around the tree trunks, and loop from one tree to another in the canopy, binding the trees together.

 Tom Abbott, Biddulph High School and made available through and only for non commercial use in schools Orchid - sun-loving roots attached themselves to branches and absorb nutrients Pitcher plant - a carnivorous plant. slippery rim tendril Insects falling into the pitcher are digested, and nutrients which are released are absorbed by the plant. Parasitic plant

Stick Insect

Poison Arrow Tree Frog Mimic Poison Arrow Tree Frog

Toucans

Three-toed Sloth

African Forest Elephant

Decide what part of the rainforest your animal will live in

This is a butterhummingfrog. It lives in the Brazilian rainforest. It cannot fly, but uses its wings to attract insects and butterflies to eat. It has a pointed beak to drink nectar from flowers. It likes to live in dark, moist environments like a pond or stream. Its toes have suction cup pads to help in climbing and clinging to leaves and branches.

Use at least 3 adaptations for the animal Describe your animal, giving reasons for its adaptations linked to the conditions within the forest Give your animal a name Describe your animal’s environment and the layer that the animal lives in Put your animal in a food chain, using other imaginary animals from the rainforest. Homework: Draw an annotated sketch of your animal. Things to think about... Use at least 3 adaptations for the animal Describe your animal, giving reasons for its adaptations linked to the conditions within the forest Give your animal a name Describe your animal’s environment and the layer that the animal lives in Put your animal in a food chain, using other animals from the rainforest.

© Cable Educational 2006 ~ Reveal Answers Reset Page using the Reset Button on YOUR board Home Next Previous In the table below, highlight the odd one out in each line. Amazon Xingu Thames Negro 93 The Odd One Out Argentina Brazil USA Peru Rio de Janeiro Brasilia Sao Paulo Lima Cold Hot Wet Humid Buttress root Saguaro cactus Lianas Canopy Monkey Anaconda Butterfly Polar bear Coffee Potato Sugar cane Cocoa © Cable Educational 2006 ~ Summary Tropical Rainforests Odd One Out

~ Reveal Answers Reset Page using the Reset Button on YOUR board Home Next Previous Amazon Xingu Thames Negro 95 The Odd One Out Answers Argentina Brazil USA Peru Rio de Janeiro Brasilia Sao Paulo Lima Cold Hot Wet Humid Buttress root Saguaro cactus Lianas Canopy Monkey Anaconda Butterfly Polar bear Coffee Potato Sugar cane Cocoa WELL DONE! © Cable Educational 2006 ~