1. The Rainforest

2. The largest rainforests located in:
Location
Rainforests are found all over the world
Most found in tropics
The largest rainforests located in:
Amazon River Basin (South America)
Congo River Basin (western Africa)
throughout southeast Asia.

3. Layers There are 4 layers in the rainforest
Emergent Layer
Canopy Layer
Understory Layer
Forest Floor
Different animals and plants at each level

4. The Emergent Layer Tallest layer More sun than any other layer
Made up of tall, wide trees
Trees from 130 to 250 feet tall
Trees have waxy leaves
Very windy and very warm
Dendrocnide excelsa (Stinging Tree) in Bunya Mountains National Park-Australia

5. The Canopy Layer Primary layer of rainforest Rises to 150 feet
Thick, woody vines called lianas found in this layer
Plants grow on the trees
Use water and sun unique to canopy layer
Orchids, lichens, ferns mosses

6. The Understory
Receives only 2-5% of the sunlight available to the canopy
Made up of vines, smaller trees, ferns and palms and small bushes
Poor soil with few nutrients for plants

7. The Forest Floor Very dark Almost no plant life
Decay happens very quickly
Lots of large tree roots
Many large animals, frogs, and insects

8. Rainforest Mammals Sloths are slow moving mammals that live in trees
Jaguars are the largest of South Americas big cats

9. Rainforest Frogs Poison Dart Frogs Very brightly colored
Carry eggs and tadpoles on their backs
Very poisonous
Eat ants, termites, and beetles

10. Rainforest Reptiles Chameleon 160 different species
Can move eyes independently
Chameleons change colors and often blend in
Eat insects
Live in the trees and move slowly

11. Rainforest Birds Toucan Known for large, colorful bill
Can eat fruit and insects
Live in flocks of multiple toucans
Nest in tree holes
Females lay 2 to 4 eggs each year

12. Importance of Rainforest important because they:
Rainforests are
important because they:
are the home of many plants and animals
protect against flood, drought, and erosion
Help provide oxygen
Source of foods and medicines