Transcript The Rainforest

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•Rainforests are found
all over the world
•Most found in tropics
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The largest
rainforests located in:
•Amazon River Basin
(South America)
•Congo River Basin
(western Africa)
•throughout
southeast Asia.
• There are 4 layers in
the rainforest
– Emergent Layer
– Canopy Layer
– Understory Layer
– Forest Floor
• Different animals and
plants at each level
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• 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
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• 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
• 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
• Very dark
• Almost no plant life
• Decay happens very
quickly
• Lots of large tree
roots
• Many large animals,
frogs, and insects
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Sloths are slow moving
Jaguars are the largest
mammals that live in trees of South Americas big cats
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Poison Dart Frogs
Very brightly colored
Carry eggs and
tadpoles on their
backs
Very poisonous
Eat ants, termites,
and beetles
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Chameleon
160 different species
Can move eyes
independently
Chameleons change
colors and often
blend in
Eat insects
Live in the trees and
move slowly
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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
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
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