By: Heather Straynick and Trisha Covert

Endangerments-Deforestation Conservation International is trying to stop

deforestation along with other smaller organizations.Scientist estimate that we are losing an area of the

size of Pennsylvania each year. And if the deforestation continues at this rate we may lose rainforests altogether within the next one hundred years.

Deforestation occurs for a number of reasons: human population is increasing (people moving from cities to forest areas), logging of forests (for firewood, charcoal, and building materials), the conversion of forest to pasture land, and mining.

Removal of the forest can change the natural rainfall patterns.

Other EndangermentsMining for gold, bauxite, and other minerals

can lead to drastic destruction of the land. Once the land has been mined, the land is left

vulnerable to massive erosion.Natural disasters, volcanoes, war, the

construction of dams, and poverty in developing countries have contributed to the destruction of tropical rainforests.

Climate “Average long-term weather pattern of a region”Two season in the tropical rainforest: rainy and dryThe warmest and coldest months do not differ by more than

five degrees. Temperatures are consistent between 70-90 degrees

Fahrenheit .Never drops below 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

Precipitation is distributed evenly throughout the yearAnnual rainfall exceeds 2000mm or about 80 inches!!!Tropical Rainforests soil is nutrient-poor and acidic.

Decomposition is rapid and soils are subject to heavy leaching.

The Tropical Rainforest has experienced droughts, floods, hurricanes, and major storms but not on a regular basis.

EffectsEffects of the tilt of the Earth’s axis:

It causes there to be more direct sunlight, then causes for acierated evaporation which makes it wet and hot almost all year round.

Mountains in the Tropical Rainforest effect the amount of rainfall.

Regions of BiomeBetween the lines of 3.39os , 73.18ow is

where most of the regions fall.

Africa, south America, Mexico

regions, Florida,

and southern parts of Asia

Tropical Rainforest LocationThe Tropical Rainforest can be found all

around the Equator between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

All around the world, in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, Australia and Pacific Islands.

The Tropical Rainforest has experienced droughts, floods, hurricanes, and major storms but not on a regular basis.

Animals of the Tropical Rainforests Scientists estimate that the rain forests maintain more types of animals and

plants than all the other biomes combined!! Rainforests are home to half of the Earth’s plant and animal species. As deforestation continues the more endangered the animals are and die off. Tropical rainforests are homes during the winter to many birds that breed in

temperate latitudes. 137 rainforest-dwelling species- plants and animals go extinct every single day

(Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson) The animals vary from continent to continent. There are an extremely high number of endangered animals in the tropical rain

forest: Apes Bongo- a large striped antelope from African forests Dhole- a wild dog from Asia Ocelot- a wild cat from the Americas

Mountains in the Tropical Rainforest

Name Where Height Formed Mt. Kilmanjaro Tansania 19,349m 3 hundred

years agoMt. Kinabalu Malaysia 4,101m 10 million years

agoMt. Tahan Malaysia 2,187m 130 million

years agoMt. Puncak Jaya

Papua Island 4,884m Early as 1909

Plants There are over 5000 medicinal plant species in the rainforest.120 prescription drugs sold world wide come directly from

rainforest plants.Rainforest plants are also used to treat malaria, heart disease,

bronchitis, hypertension, rheumatism, diabetes, muscle tension, arthritis, glaucoma, dysentery and tuberculosis, and other heath problems.

Anesthetics, enzymes, hormones, laxatives, cough mixtures, antibiotics and antiseptics come from rainforest plants and herbs.

Harmful plants include: Stinging Tree Tree Sap Lawyer Vine Rainforest Fruits

Tropical Rainforest layers Emergent layer-

giant trees Huge mushroom shaped crowns Receive greatest amount of sunlight but must endure high temperatures,

low humidity, and strong winds Canopy layer-dense covering formed by the uppermost branches of trees.

60-90 feet above ground Branches are densely covered with other plants Home to 90% of the organisms found in the rain forest

Understory layer- Receives 2-15 percent of sunlight Contains young trees and herbaceous plants

Forest Floor- Receives less than 2% of the sunlight\ The floor is a thin layer of fallen leaves, seeds, fruits,and branches that

quickly decomposes

Growing SeasonThe growing season lasts all year.The abundant sunlight, warm temperatures,

and daily rain lead to fast turnover of nutrients and plant growth is rapid.

Water SourcesTropical Rainforest’s produce about 30% of

the Earth’s water.They have deep water tables.Water Table- The level below which the

ground is completely saturated with water. Also called water level.

Watersheds constantly supply clean water running into streams, lakes, rivers, reefs and lagoons is vital for replenishing the homes of their myriad creatures.

Energy Pyramid

Resources http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/forests.html   http://www.teachersfirst.com/lessons/biomes/rainforest.html http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/rforest/index.htm http://www.teachersfirst.com/lessons/biomes.rainforests.html http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.htm http://www.oecoamaxonia.com/en/news/brazil/48-o-2005-seca-e-tempestade-

na-amazonia http://wiki

.answers.com/Q/Does_the_tilt_of_the_Earth’s_axis_affect_the_rain_forest http://www.world-builders.org/lessons/less/biomes/rainforests/tropi

_rain/rain.html http://www.ewpnet.com/kilimanjaro.htm http://www.malaysiasite.nl/mountkinabalueng.htm http://www.ask.com/wike/Puncak_Java http://www.tropilab.com/tropicalrainforest.html