Transcript The Wonderful World of the Rainforest

The Wonderful
World of the
Rainforest
How important is the
rainforest to humans?
The Rainforest
 By
Natasha Cheeks
Overview
 What
is a rainforest?
 The different rainforest and where they
are located
 The importance of the rainforest
 Why do we need to save the rainforest?
 Conclusion
What is a rainforest?
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A forest with heavy annual rain
Earth’s oldest living ecosystems
Covers only 6% of the Earth’s surface
contains more than ½ of the world’s plant
and animal species
Has four layers
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Emergent layer
Canopy layer
Understory layer
Forest floor
The Earth’s Rainforest
http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/
krubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www/where
.html
Central America
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Located in the middle of North America and
South America at the peninsula
Used to be entirely covered by rainforest
Famous for its large number of tropical birds
including parrots
Animals
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Poison arrow frogs
Toucans
Hummingbirds
Monarch butterfly
Piranha
The Amazon
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Located in South America
The largest rainforest on Earth
Has the 2nd longest river
1/5 of plants and bird species
1/10 of mammal species
Animals
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Jaguar
Tapir
Many types of monkeys
Central Africa
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2nd largest rainforest
Contains areas of
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High cloud forest
Mangrove swamps
Flooded forest
Madagascar is to the south east
Animals
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African Grey Parrot
Chimpanzee
Gorilla
Scaly-tailed squirrels
Southern Asia
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Has many locations
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Stretches from India and Burma in the west to
Malaysia and the islands of Java and Borneo in
the east
Is hot and humid year round
Animals include:
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Komodo dragon
Bengal Tiger
King Cobra
Dawn Bat
Jambu Fruit Dove
Australasia Rainforest
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Located in Australia, New Zealand, and New
Guinea
Undergrowth is dense and lush
Lies in the path of wet winds coming in from
the Pacific Ocean
Animals include
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Brown tree snakes
Carpet python
Komodo dragon
Kakapo
Importance of the Rainforest
 Our
source of many items that we use in
our homes
 Eat several foods from the rainforest
 Many medicines come from rainforest
 Many different beautiful plants and
animals
 The Earth’s living lung
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Breathes in carbon dioxide and breathes
out oxygen
Why Should We Save the
Rainforest?
The National Wildlife Federation in 1993 listed ten reasons why we should save the rainforests:
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People have no right to destroy the rainforests for their own purposes.
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Destroying the forests may change the world's weather patterns.
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The loss of the forests are causing serious problems such as soil erosion and water pollution.
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Wood products in which the rest of the world depends may soon become scarce and more
expensive.
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Many migrating birds common in North America depend on the rainforest habitats. The loss
of the rainforest may affect these species.
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Cultures of the forests are losing their native lands. They have a right to live where and how
they want.
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There are many plants that could help scientists develop new crops, medicines, and other
products. We don't want to lose our knowledge of the rainforest plants, animals and other
information.
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Rainforests are exotic and unique where strange plants and animals live which inspires many
people. We can't lose this inspiration.
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The forests contain more than 50% of all plant and animals species in the world. Destroying
the forests will destroy these species forever.
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So little has been researched in the forests that could provide people with many beneficial
products, even a possible cure for cancer. We can't destroy what nature has given to us.
http://www.hipark.austin.isd.tenet.edu/projects/fourth/rainforests/environment.html
Conclusion
 The
rainforest is the Earth’s largest
ecosystem
 Has four main location
 Is a home to many different plants and
animals
 Has four layers
 Has five different areas on the Earth
 Is very important to us as a human being
 Why would you save the rainforest?